was a Japanese 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 :...

. He was a pro-death penalty activist and approved the executions of 33 people, including Matsuo Fujimoto

Matsuo Fujimoto

was 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...

 and Ri Chin'u (model of Death by Hanging

Death by Hanging

is a 1968 film directed by Nagisa Oshima, acclaimed for its innovative Brechtian techniques and complex treatments of guilt and consciousness, justice, and the persecution of ethnic Koreans in Japan.- Plot synopsis :...

). On September 11, 1962, he commanded Fujimoto's execution and he was executed three days after. He also attempted to execute 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:...

, but failed. Hirasawa eventually had not been executed until his death on May 10, 1987.