Iwao Hakamada, a former boxer who was wrongly convicted of murder and spent almost half a century on death row in Japan, was acquitted last week after a lengthy legal battle. At 88 years old, he has become the fifth condemned convict in postwar Japan to be found not guilty in a retrial. His exoneration has led to calls for changes in Japan’s lengthy and complicated retrial process and has brought attention to the risks of capital punishment.
Hakamada’s case has raised concerns about Japan’s approach to executions, which Amnesty International has described as “inhumane.” Despite international pressure to abolish the death penalty, Japan has resisted, with the majority of the public supporting its use in some cases. However, campaigners argue that public opinion can be influenced by polling methodologies and lack of awareness about execution practices.
Hakamada’s long incarceration has taken a toll on his mental and physical health, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by death row inmates in Japan. The court’s ruling in his case criticized the police officers who fabricated evidence leading to his conviction in 1968. His case serves as a reminder that no justice system can be perfect and should prompt a reevaluation of Japan’s stance on the death penalty.
While Japan’s justice minister has indicated that abolishing the death penalty would be inappropriate given public opinion, activists and legal experts are calling for a rational assessment of the case for abolition. The legacy of Hakamada’s wrongful conviction should lead to a reevaluation of Japan’s approach to capital punishment and a move towards its full abolition.
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