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A bit of good news is always worth highlighting. While foreign-led Tokyo groups are helping to raise money for environmental causes and feed the homeless, the city's government is taking steps to assist its residents as well. Tokyo's Shinagawa ward has announced a new programme to address issues regarding the district's rise in reports of domestic abuse and stalking.
The ¥15.62 million plan aims to provide subsidised housing for victims, regardless of gender. Up to ¥10,000 per night will be provided to applicants who seek lodging in hotels or other accommodations directly through the ward office or the police, for a maximum of 21 nights.
With the new Shinagawa programme, victims won't be the only ones to receive some form of support: perpetrators of stalking and domestic abuse are encouraged to seek counselling with doctors and clinical psychologists to address their harmful behaviour. Up to 10 counselling sessions will be subsidised, though an exact yen amount was not specified in the report.
Reports of stalking and domestic violence in Tokyo hit a relative low point in 2021 at 1,102 for stalking and 8,011 for DV, though they've both continued to steadily increase, with numbers rising to 1,455 and 9,254 in 2024 for stalking and domestic abuse, respectively. Abuse doesn't discriminate when it comes to gender, as Japan's National Police Agency reported that consultations from male victims of abuse had increased a staggering 45 percent over a five-year period, from 19,478 in 2020 to 28,214 in 2024.
Shinagawa hopes to address these issues head-on and provide assistance to those who need it. The programme is set to begin sometime in fiscal year 2026, which starts in April.
If you are seeking consultation regarding an abusive situation, contact Domestic Violence Hotline Plus by calling 01-2027-9889 (Japanese only) or chat online at soudanplus.jp/en/index.html (multi-lingual)
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