Iwao Hakamada
Encyclopedia
is a former Japanese professional boxer, who was sentenced to death for a June 10, 1966 mass murder
. However, he is also suspected to be falsely charged and has not been executed.
On August 18, 1966, Hakamada was arrested for killing four people. On September 11, 1968, the Shizuoka District Court sentenced him to death. The Supreme Court of Japan
upheld his death sentence on November 19, 1980. However, it has been suggested that he was falsely charged. The physical evidence was changed from pajamas to clothes and the clothes did not fit him. Although he remains on death row
, he has not yet been executed. The Minister of Justice
may refuse to sign a death warrant if they personally suspect that the conviction is not secure. (see Sadamichi Hirasawa
). , he has been in prison for 42 years, the longest imprisonment among condemned prisoners in Japan.
Mass murder
Mass murder is the act of murdering a large number of people , typically at the same time or over a relatively short period of time. According to the FBI, mass murder is defined as four or more murders occurring during a particular event with no cooling-off period between the murders...
. However, he is also suspected to be falsely charged and has not been executed.
On August 18, 1966, Hakamada was arrested for killing four people. On September 11, 1968, the Shizuoka District Court sentenced him to death. The Supreme Court of Japan
Supreme Court of Japan
The Supreme Court of Japan , located in Chiyoda, Tokyo is the highest court in Japan. It has ultimate judicial authority to interpret the Japanese constitution and decide questions of national law...
upheld his death sentence on November 19, 1980. However, it has been suggested that he was falsely charged. The physical evidence was changed from pajamas to clothes and the clothes did not fit him. Although he remains on death row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
, he has not yet been executed. The Minister of Justice
Minister of Justice (Japan)
The is the member of the Cabinet of Japan in charge of the Ministry of Justice. The post has been held by Hideo Hiraoka since 2 September 2011.- Ministers of Justice :...
may refuse to sign a death warrant if they personally suspect that the conviction is not secure. (see Sadamichi Hirasawa
Sadamichi Hirasawa
was a Japanese tempera painter. He was convicted of mass poisoning and sentenced to death, though he is suspected to have been falsely charged and no justice minister signed his death warrant.-Teigin case:...
). , he has been in prison for 42 years, the longest imprisonment among condemned prisoners in Japan.
See also
- Sadamichi HirasawaSadamichi Hirasawawas a Japanese tempera painter. He was convicted of mass poisoning and sentenced to death, though he is suspected to have been falsely charged and no justice minister signed his death warrant.-Teigin case:...
- Matsuo FujimotoMatsuo Fujimotowas a Japanese executed man, who was charged for a 1952 murder and was executed by hanging in 1962. His guilty verdict, death sentence and execution, made controversies, because he suffered from leprosy and the Japanese government were urging the discrimination and prejudice against the leper...
- Sakae MendaSakae Mendais a Japanese man who was convicted of a double homicide, but was exonerated by retrial in 1983. This was the first time anyone was ever released from death row by retrial in Japan...
External links
- On Death Row in Japan: Iwao Hakamada’s long wait
- DEATH PENALTY-JAPAN: Dissenting Judge Breaks 40-Year Silence Inter Press ServiceInter Press ServiceInter Press Service is a global news agency. Its main focus is the production of independent news and analysis about events and processes affecting economic, social and political development....
- Iwao Hakamada career records
- Prisoners driven insane on Japan's death row, says Amnesty Hakamada.net