The National Police Agency in Japan reported that the number of domestic violence cases reported to the police in 2009 increased by 11.7% from the previous year to 28,158. This is the highest number since 2002, when the annual survey was initiated. The National Police Agency attributes the growing number of reports to increasing awareness of domestic violence in Japan.
The courts issued restraining orders in 2,429 cases under the domestic violence prevention law. The law provides for protection of current or former spouses, partners or their children from physical violence, as well as other forms of threat. The police also recognized 1,658 cases of domestic violence under other laws, including cases resulting in injuries to victims, assaults, and murders or attempted murders.
Compiled from: “Domestic Violence Cases Reach Record 28,158 in 2009,” Japan Today (18 March 2010).