A Japanese court has acquitted an 88-year-old former boxer in a retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder, overturning a previous decision that had made him the world's longest-serving death row inmate. Iwao Hakamada's acquittal by the Shizuoka District Court marks the fifth time a death-row convict has been found not guilty in postwar Japanese criminal justice, potentially reigniting the debate around abolishing the death penalty in Japan.
The presiding judge of the court acknowledged multiple fabrications of evidence and declared Hakamada not guilty, according to his lawyer. Hakamada's 91-year-old sister expressed gratitude for the support received during the 58-year legal battle, celebrating her brother's acquittal with a smile and cheers outside the courthouse.
Hakamada was convicted in 1968 for the murder of a company manager and three family members, along with arson, but was spared execution due to lengthy appeals and the slow-paced Japanese criminal justice system. Spending over 45 years on death row out of his 48 years behind bars, Hakamada became the world's longest-serving death row inmate.
After a retrial was ordered in 2014 based on evidence of fabricated accusations, Hakamada was finally cleared of the conviction in 2023. His release in 2014 revealed the toll his detention had taken on his mental health, with supporters highlighting the impact of his solitary confinement and fear of execution.
The court's ruling emphasized the inhumane investigation that led to forced confessions, citing fabricated evidence such as blood-stained clothing soaked in miso for over a year. Defense lawyers and previous retrial decisions pointed out discrepancies in the evidence, including DNA mismatches and ill-fitting trousers submitted by prosecutors.
Hakamada's lawyer hailed the ruling as groundbreaking for exposing the prosecution's fabrication of key evidence and called for preventing any further appeals. The case has prompted calls for revising the legal system to facilitate retrials and prevent wrongful convictions.
Japan, along with the United States, remains one of the few advanced nations in the Group of Seven that retains capital punishment. Despite public support for executions, the secrecy surrounding the process and limited disclosures have raised concerns about transparency and justice.
Hideko Hakamada, who dedicated years to proving her brother's innocence, emphasized the challenges in initiating retrials and advocated for legal reforms to ensure justice for others wrongfully accused. The acquittal of Iwao Hakamada reflects a significant milestone in Japan's criminal justice system and may influence future discussions on the death penalty and legal reforms.
