Japan’s Death Row Case: Hakamada Acquitted After Decades

Iwao Hakamada: A Legal Victory After 56 Years

The world’s longest-serving death row inmate, Iwao Hakamada, an 88-year-old former boxer from Japan, was acquitted after spending 56 years in prison for a murder he was sentenced to hang for in 1968. Hakamada was originally convicted for the murders of a company executive and his family, despite maintaining his innocence throughout the trial. His conviction was largely based on a confession that he later retracted, claiming it was coerced under duress.

The case gained international attention, as many legal experts and human rights advocates raised concerns about the fairness of his trial. Evidence, such as clothing stained with blood that prosecutors claimed belonged to Hakamada, was later found to be questionable. In recent years, DNA testing suggested the blood did not match Hakamada, prompting his legal team to push for a retrial.

Finally, in 2023, Japan’s Supreme Court ordered a retrial, leading to his acquittal. The court ruled that the initial evidence used to convict him was unreliable, marking a significant victory for Hakamada, who had spent decades on death row. This case sheds light on Japan’s justice system and the global debates surrounding the use of the death penalty.

For more information, you can explore coverage from various news sources on this landmark legal case.