The government has issued directives that call on ministries, local governments, police and civic groups to better coordinate efforts to protect and support victims of domestic violence, but they spell out no concrete preventive measures.
The targeted entities are asked to cooperate in such areas as providing counseling and consultations as well as help in securing employment and housing. The directives were issued jointly by the Cabinet Office, the National Police Agency, the Justice Ministry, and the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry as a revised domestic violence prevention law took effect Thursday.
The directives will be used by prefectures to devise basic measures as required under the revised law. There is no deadline, however, for local governments to finish compiling their own plans, Cabinet Office officials said.