A report released in April by the National Police Agency revealed that the number of incidents of stalking involving senior citizens in Japan is on the rise.
In 2013, perpetrators over the age of 60 accounted for 1,919 cases, a figure that is four times that of 10 years ago, the agency said.
Likewise, reports Shukan Asahi (Oct. 10), the number of victims of that demographic seeking professional assistance is also increasing.
Akiko Kobayakawa is the director of the Tokyo-based Humanity, a non-profit organization that assists people with personal problems.
“Consultations from elderly people being stalked are increasing rapidly,” says Kobayakawa.
The crimes follow two patterns: One involves a superior coming onto a much younger female, while the other includes a male pursuing a woman of a similar age and living in the same area.