Tokyo: The number of people police took action against in Japan last year on suspicion of violating a law banning illegal access to computer networks rose from 40 to 154, the highest since the law took effect in 2000, the National Police Agency said today.

They included people who were suspected of using stolen internet IDs and passwords.

The number of illegal internet access cases detected by police surged by 362 to 1,251, including 543 cases where police identified the suspects, up 295.

"The rise might be attributable to the rapid spread of online games and social networking services," a police agency official said.

In 229 cases, culprits wheedled IDs and passwords out of other people or peeped at such data.

In 122 cases, culprits penetrated loose security systems. About 100 cases involved acquaintances of the victims. Some 53 percent of the total cases detected by the police led to theft including stealing game items.

In 17.8 percent of the cases, culprits illegally shopped online, while in 7.9 percent of the cases information was accessed illegally.

The number of cybercrime cases where suspects were identified, including online fraud, child prostitution and pornography, came to 7,334 last year, up 1,593 from the previous year.

The National Police Agency said it will form a special cybercrime investigation team on Monday at 13 prefectural police departments including those in Tokyo and Osaka.

The aim is to step up vigilance to protect Japanese government organizations, defense contractors and companies that operate key infrastructure such as power plants and gas storage facilities.

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