The Reality of Stalker Phone Harassment
Stalker phone harassment takes many forms: repeated calls, silent calls, threatening messages, and relentless calls at all hours. According to National Police Agency figures, police received 22,881 stalking consultations and related reports in 2025, up 3,314 from the previous year. Of the regulated conduct recorded that year, 4,911 cases involved silent calls, repeated calls after being refused, or the sending of emails, so phone and message harassment remains a primary form of victimization.
Stalker phone harassment takes a heavy toll on mental health. Many victims come to brace themselves every time the phone rings, and lost sleep and constant unease can begin to disrupt daily life. Do not face this alone - early consultation with specialized agencies is key to preventing escalation.
Typical Harassment Patterns
Repeated Calls
Dozens to hundreds of calls per day. Even after blocking, stalkers may use different numbers or anonymous calling. Calls from various number ranges including 090, 080, and 070 are characteristic. Late-night and early-morning calls cause particular psychological distress.
Silent Calls
The caller remains silent throughout the call, aiming to instill fear. Silent calls are explicitly covered under the Anti-Stalking Act.
Threatening Messages
Threatening or intimidating messages sent via SMS or messaging apps. Content like "I know where you are" or "I'll harm your family" may constitute criminal threats.
How to Preserve Evidence
Evidence preservation is the most critical step. Whether consulting police or pursuing legal action, having objective evidence makes a decisive difference. See also how to document phone harassment evidence.
Save Call Logs
Record every call's date, time, number, and duration. Take screenshots of your call history and organize them chronologically.
Record Call Content
If you must answer, use a call recording app. How the law treats recording a call you are yourself a party to depends on the circumstances. How such a recording is treated as evidence is likewise for the court to decide in light of how and why it was made. Even so, a recorded threat gives you something concrete to show the police when you explain your situation.
Save Messages
Never delete SMS or messaging app content. Save screenshots showing both the message content and sender information.
How to Report to Police
- Visit your nearest police station: The Community Safety Division handles stalking cases. Scheduling an appointment by phone helps ensure smooth processing.
- Use the police consultation line (#9110): For non-emergency consultations. Anonymous consultations are accepted.
- Call 110 in emergencies: If you feel your safety is at risk, do not hesitate to call 110. Clearly state "I am receiving threatening calls from a stalker."
- Bring evidence: Present call log screenshots, recordings, and saved messages, organized chronologically.
- File a formal report: Consider filing an official victim report. Once accepted, an investigation begins.
Protection Under the Anti-Stalking Act
Regulated Behaviors
Japan's Anti-Stalking Act explicitly covers phone and message harassment as "pursuit behaviors":
- Making calls without speaking (silent calls)
- Repeatedly calling despite being refused
- Engaging in extremely rude or violent behavior
- Continuously sending emails or SNS messages
Warnings and Prohibition Orders
When a person subjected to pursuit behavior comes forward, the Superintendent-General of the Metropolitan Police Department, the chief of a prefectural police headquarters, or the head of a police station may issue a "warning" ordering the perpetrator to stop (Article 4). Separately, a Prefectural Public Safety Commission may issue a "prohibition order" (Article 5); no prior warning is required, and where there is an urgent need it can be issued without a hearing. Stalking in violation of a prohibition order carries up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 2 million yen, and stalking behavior itself carries up to 1 year imprisonment or a fine of up to 1 million yen even where no prohibition order has been issued.
Changing Your Number and Additional Measures
If call blocking is insufficient, changing your phone number is a valid option. Contact your carrier to arrange the change. Share your new number only with trusted contacts and never post it on social media.
Support Organizations and Hotlines
- Police consultation line (#9110): Non-emergency consultations, anonymous accepted
- Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers: Consultation service for violence by a spouse or former spouse; prefectural women's counseling support centers and similar facilities carry out this role
- Yorisoi Hotline (0120-279-338): Toll-free line for any kind of difficulty in daily life; consultations are also taken in English, Chinese, and several other languages
- Legal Aid Japan (0570-078374): Legal consultation with attorney fee assistance programs
- Prefectural Victim Support Centers: Comprehensive support including counseling and court accompaniment
Strengthening Digital Security
Alongside addressing phone harassment, strengthen your overall digital security. Stalkers often track victims through multiple channels including social media, email, and location data.
- Review SNS privacy settings: Set all accounts to private, disable phone number search, and turn off location tagging on posts
- Change passwords: Change passwords for all accounts if the stalker may know them
- Stop location sharing: Review and disable all location-sharing features
- Scan for spyware: Run security scans to check for monitoring software; consider factory reset in severe cases
- Enable two-factor authentication: Use authenticator apps (not SMS) for all important accounts
Summary - Seek Professional Help Early
Stalker phone harassment tends to escalate if left unaddressed. Preserving evidence and consulting police or specialized agencies early is the best way to prevent further harm. The Anti-Stalking Act exists to protect victims - actively use legal tools like warnings and prohibition orders.