Domestic violence, stalking cases hit new highs

Domestic violence cases reported to Japanese police last year reached the highest figure ever, since the domestic violence prevention law took effect 9 years ago.

The National Police Agency says the total number of cases was more than 28,000 in 2009, up 11 percent from the previous year.

Serious cases in which police took legal action for injury or assault charges totaled nearly 1,700, also a new high.
44 of these cases involved murder or attempted murder.

Police also handled about 15,000 stalking cases last year, up 1 percent from the year before, and a new high.

Police say they are stepping up efforts to prevent such violence, after women were killed in Chiba City and Tokyo last year. The 2 women were killed after they had asked police for help.