Misuse of Loss Prevention Tags for Stalking on Rise in Japan

From Jiji

January 5 2026

TOKYO – The use of loss prevention tags by stalkers quickly spread in Japan last year, the National Police Agency has reported. 
   According to the NPA, police across the country gave advice to victims of stalking using those electronic tags in 592 cases between January and November 2025, up 1.6-fold from the whole of the previous year.
   The tags in question, roughly the size of a 500-yen coin, about 26.5 millimeters in diameter, emit signals that allow users to track items they are attached to through such devices as smartphones and tablets.
   Their misuse for stalking increased from three cases in 2021 to 113 cases in 2022, 196 cases in 2023 and 370 cases in 2024, amid small, inexpensive products becoming widely available.
   Many victims have discovered the tags, which are supposed to be attached to wallets and keys by the owners, affixed to their cars without their knowledge or hidden in their belongings, the NPA said.