Japan's Anti-Stalking Act was amended in 2021 to cover GPS tracking and persistent SNS messaging. Stalking behaviors fall into 8 categories. Police can issue warnings (Art. 4) and prohibition orders (Art. 5). Violation of prohibition orders carries up to 2 years imprisonment or ¥2M fine (Art. 19). Stalking itself carries up to 1 year imprisonment or ¥1M fine (Art. 18).
Cyberstalking Laws in Japan: Legal Definitions and Remedies
Key Takeaways
- ✓The 2021 reform added GPS tracking and SNS harassment to regulated conduct
- ✓Police can issue warnings and prohibition orders against stalkers
- ✓Violating a prohibition order carries up to 2 years imprisonment
- ✓Save screenshots and messages as evidence of stalking behavior
Free Tools for This Area
Related Articles
Online Defamation: How to File a Sender Disclosure Request in Japan
How to identify anonymous online defamers through sender disclosure requests in Japan, including the 2022 legal reform.
Legal Remedies for Revenge Porn in Japan
Legal remedies for non-consensual intimate images in Japan, including removal requests and criminal complaints.
How to Request Removal of Defamatory Reviews in Japan
Guide to requesting removal of defamatory online reviews in Japan, including Google Maps and restaurant review sites.
Social Media Crisis Management: Legal Responses in Japan
Legal strategies for managing social media crises in Japan, including defamation claims and sender disclosure requests.
Phishing Fraud in Japan: Legal Remedies and Recovery
Legal remedies for phishing fraud victims in Japan, including the Unauthorized Access Act and fund recovery procedures.
Digital Estate Inheritance in Japan: Social Media and Crypto Assets
Legal issues surrounding digital estate inheritance in Japan, including social media accounts and cryptocurrency.
Related Q&A
Q. What is the typical compensation for online defamation in Japan?
Q. How can I identify an anonymous online poster?
Q. Can I have old articles about me removed from search results?
Q. What can I do if my photos or illustrations are used without permission on SNS?
Q. I am a victim of revenge porn. What legal remedies are available?
Q. My child is being cyberbullied. What legal actions can be taken?
Related Legal Terms
Recommended Articles
See allSocial Media Crisis Management: Legal Responses in Japan
Legal strategies for managing social media crises in Japan, including defamation claims and sender disclosure requests.
Read moreInternet IssuesPhishing Fraud in Japan: Legal Remedies and Recovery
Legal remedies for phishing fraud victims in Japan, including the Unauthorized Access Act and fund recovery procedures.
Read moreInternet IssuesDigital Estate Inheritance in Japan: Social Media and Crypto Assets
Legal issues surrounding digital estate inheritance in Japan, including social media accounts and cryptocurrency.
Read moreInternet IssuesJapan AI Image Copyright 2026: Midjourney, ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion
Short answer: AI output (Midjourney/ChatGPT/Stable Diffusion images, text) is NOT copyrightable in Japan unless human creative direction is substantial. Art. 30-4 permits training but similar outputs infringe Arts. 21-28.
Read moreInternet IssuesCyberbullying & School Liability in Japan: Parent's Legal Guide
Short answer: Schools owe duty of care under Bullying Prevention Act 2013. Parents can pursue civil damages + criminal charges (defamation Art. 230, insult Art. 231). Anonymous bullies unmasked via 2022 Provider Liability Act one-step disclosure.
Read moreInternet IssuesOnline Privacy Invasion in Japan: Legal Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure
Legal remedies for online privacy violations in Japan: right to privacy, deletion, and damages.
Read moreConsult a Legal Professional Early
This article provides general information; outcomes vary by specific circumstances. Contact your local bar association for case-specific advice.
- Statutes & case law
- Free legal calculators
- Lawyer-reviewed