A specialized stalker investigative squad set up by the Tokyo metropolitan police department earlier this month has made its first arrest.
Police said Monday that a 25-year-old unemployed man has been arrested on stalking charges after he broke into the apartment of his ex-girlfriend in Tokyo's Ota Ward on Dec 13.
NTV quoted police as saying that the suspect, identified as Ryo Yamashita, used a duplicate key to enter the apartment of his former girlfriend at around 1 a.m. on Dec 13. He waited for the woman to return home and then spent several hours trying to convince her to get back together with him, police said.
After he left, the woman filed a complaint with police who arrested Yamashita last week.
The newly formed squad has 80 specialists, who handle everything from danger assessment, warning the stalkers and arresting them if they do not comply, as well as helping victims relocate, if they so request, and taking protective measures.
© Japan Today
15 Comments
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TrevorPeace1
Glad to see some action on this file. I've read far too many stories about stalkers, ex-boyfriends, former husbands, and the like, and none of them came to a good end. Perhaps this is the turning point?
Tamarama
Good.
Speed
DOING THEIR JOB. Thank you.
Hide Suzuki
That's really scary, more so for women. I would probably scream if I come home and turn of the light and found someone there :)
Mirai Hayashi
The woman called the police after the man broke into his apartment. Sounds more like a open and shut case to me.How did this "stalker investigation squad" really help? Sounds like they are just taking credit for an every day crime.
Disillusioned
What a creep! Sadly, I don't think task force will do anything to stop the incidents of stalking, but at least they will be able to help the victims. However, I don't think this case needed the special task force. He could have been charged will unlawful entry and trespass by the normal cops.
StormR
If he used a key then its hardly a "break in" is it., illegal or unauthorised entry yes.
Seems to me the guy just wanted to talk to this girl to sway her into rekindling the relationship.
He should have invited her to a nice restaurant for dinner and a chat instead.
TrevorPeace1
StormR, if he used a key after they broke up their relationship, to confront her against her will, he crossed the threshold of becoming a nuisance first, a stalker second. Yes, he could have called her and 'invited her to a nice restaurant for dinner and a chat instead', but he didn't. He invaded her territory and undoubtedly scared the hell out of her. I don't care whether they officially call it stalking or illegal/unauthorized entry, it's a behaviour that needs correction. Sadly, it's a cultural thing called 'entitlement' of the male to rule the female. It still exists to a large degree in Japan, like it or not. And I do not.
techall
So did they arrest him for stalking or breaking and entering?
rob-2
I think there should be a similar squad for female stalkers!
Atari
Kindly point out where it says that this squad is only for men.
smithinjapan
Nice to read something like this instead of how it was too late. Keep it up!
CrisGerSan
WONDERFUL!!! great news well done.
Gobshite
I half expected the first stalker arrested to be a cop himself!!
ham21
I think it's great that something is being done. Now, if only they can get ahead of these stalkers and prevent this kind of access. This guy must have been exhibiting stalking behavior before this happened. Stalkee's, use this police option before you get damaged and remember to get your lock changed when you have a key outstanding with a broken relationship!