Overview

• A Kanagawa police report acknowledged that officers underestimated the danger in a stalking and DV case, missed chances to protect the victim, and allowed coordination to break down, prompting an apology from the prefectural chief, who received a severe oral warning.
• The force outlined fixes including a new headquarters command post for stalking and related cases, a dedicated unit to manage them, and stronger guidance to precincts to ensure basic investigative steps are followed.
• Japan’s National Police Agency chief said guidance to prefectural forces will be tightened and called a Sept. 5 meeting of police headquarters chiefs to press immediate, concrete prevention measures, with the public safety chief voicing the same stance.
• In Gifu Prefecture, police plan to re-arrest two suspects on murder charges over a woman found dead; investigators allege she was killed around Aug. 6, while the suspects deny the allegations.
• Separate developments include the Nagano trial opening in a 2023 four‑murder case with the defendant remaining silent as criminal responsibility is contested and a JR Joetsu Line derailment in Gunma that halted services between Numata and Minakami while details are gathered.