Iwao Hakamata Acquitted: A Landmark Ruling in Japan's Justice System
In a historic decision, the Shizuoka District Court has acquitted Iwao Hakamata, an 88-year-old former professional boxer, marking the end of a legal battle that has lasted over five decades. Hakamata, who was wrongfully convicted of quadruple murder in 1968, is now recognized as a victim of Japan's controversial criminal justice system. This ruling comes after years of advocacy and new evidence that has raised questions about the integrity of Japan's reliance on confessions and its death penalty practices.
Hakamata’s case, which began in 1966 when he was arrested for the brutal murder of his employer and three family members, has been a focal point in the discussion about the death penalty in Japan. The court's ruling, which stated that the blood-stained clothing used as evidence was planted, has sparked renewed calls for reform in Japan's judicial practices. Judge Kunii Tsuneishi emphasized that the blood on the clothing could not have remained unchanged after being submerged in miso for over a year, indicating that the evidence was tampered with by authorities.
Hakamata's long ordeal began when he was coerced into confessing to the crime under extreme duress during police interrogations. Despite his subsequent retraction of the confession and claims of police brutality, he was sentenced to death. His case highlights the troubling nature of Japan's
