Japanese man acquitted after 46 years on death row
In a stunning turn of events, an 88-year-old man has been acquitted by a Japanese court after spending nearly half a century on death row. Iwao Hakamada, the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, was found guilty in 1968 of a quadruple murder – but new evidence has revealed that he may have been wrongfully convicted.
Long legal saga comes to an end
Hakamada’s case has been one of Japan’s most famous legal sagas, attracting widespread public interest and support. His acquittal was met with cheers of “banzai” from his supporters outside the courtroom in Shizuoka.
The 46 years spent on death row have taken a heavy toll on Hakamada’s mental health, making him unfit to attend the hearing where his innocence was finally declared. He has been living under the care of his 91-year-old sister Hideko since his release in 2014.
Coerced confession and fabricated evidence
In 1968, Hakamada was convicted of murder and arson based on a coerced confession and fabricated evidence, including bloodstained clothes found in a tank of miso. His lawyers argued for years that the DNA on the clothes did not match his, suggesting that police may have tampered with the evidence.
After a long legal battle, Judge Hiroaki Murayama declared in 2014 that “the possibility of his innocence has become clear to a respectable degree”, leading to Hakamada’s release and retrial.
Rare retrial in Japan’s history
Retrials for death row inmates are rare in Japan, with Hakamada’s case being only the fifth in the country’s post-war history. His acquittal sheds light on the flaws in Japan’s criminal justice system and the need for reform.
Despite his long ordeal, Hakamada’s fight for justice has finally come to an end with his innocence being officially recognized by the court. His sister Hideko, who never gave up on clearing his name, expressed relief and joy at the long-awaited verdict.
With this landmark ruling, Hakamada’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, justice, and the power of truth prevailing in the end.
