Japan Enacts Law to Use GPS Trackers for Defendants on Bail

TOKYO (Kyodo News Agency) – Japan’s parliament on Wednesday enacted a bill allowing courts to approve the installation of GPS monitors on suspects to prevent international jumps, a move that has been spurred by cases such as the former Nissan CEO High-profile escape of officer Carlos Ghosn.

It also approved measures to protect the anonymity of victims of alleged sex crimes and other crimes to protect them from their attackers as part of reforms to the penal code.

The use of GPS devices will begin within five years of the revised law, despite objections because they could be an invasion of privacy. But others believe it could lead to more suspects being released on bail and help curb Japan’s criticized excessive detention.