The House of Representatives on Thursday passed and enacted an anti-stalking bill that incorporates maximum punishments of one-year imprisonment or a fine of 1 million yen.
The bill, which cleared the House of Councilors on Wednesday, will take effect by the end of November.
The three ruling parties -- the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito and the New Conservative Party -- agreed on the bill May 9, with opposition parties also deciding to back the bill on condition that it be reviewed in five years.
Stalking is defined in the bill as repeated harassment of a person, motivated by an emotional attachment or a grudge born of unrequited love.
The legislation incorporates administrative measures, such as warnings and desist orders against stalking, as well as specifying penalties.
Individuals against whom a stalking complaint has been filed could face a prison term of up to six months or a fine of up to 500,000 yen, according to the bill.
Victims can also request prefectural police heads and police station chiefs to issue warnings to stalkers.
The prefectural public safety commission in each prefecture, after hearing an accused stalker's defense, will be able to issue desist orders to those who violate police warnings.
Violators of desist orders could receive jail terms of up to one year or be fined up to 1 million yen.
The bill also stipulates that it should be used solely for the purpose of halting the stalking.