Crackdown Against Stalking Launched

Japan launched a crackdown on stalking with a national police task force to fight the crime and a tough new anti-stalking law. For years, the issue of stalking was largely ignored in Japan, with much of society considering it a trivial offense and many victims too afraid to speak out. Police said they will assign 40 staffers to work full time registering complaints, investigating cases and setting up a computer database of past offenses. The new law recognizes stalking as a crime punishable by up to six months in prison or a $4,545 fine.