Japan’s Justice Ministry is preparing to pilot a GPS tracking program for sex offenders on parole, with a target launch as early as fiscal year 2027, a ministry official said Tuesday.
Under the planned trial, parolees would carry a GPS device on a voluntary basis, allowing supervisors to monitor location data for warning signs and provide timely guidance aimed at preventing reoffending. Participation will be restricted to parolees who give their consent, the official said.
The ministry has yet to specify which categories of sexual offenses will fall under the trial’s scope. Should the pilot demonstrate that GPS monitoring is effective in curbing repeat offenses, officials may move to make the devices mandatory and broaden the range of crimes covered.
Under existing parole conditions, offenders are required to attend regular interviews with supervising officers and provide accurate accounts of their daily activities. Noncompliance can lead to revocation of parole.