A rule barring women from bringing smartphones into shelters is believed to be deterring many women facing domestic violence from entering such facilities. | Getty Images

Local governments in Japan have expanded consultation services for women facing domestic violence, poverty and other hardships since a support law took effect about two and a half years ago.

But efforts to provide temporary shelter for domestic violence victims have made little headway.

One major obstacle is a rule barring women from bringing smartphones into shelters, a measure meant to keep abusers from tracking them down.

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