Longest-serving death row inmate in the world found not guilty in Japan

Iwao Hakamata, an 88-year-old Japanese man who spent 45 years on death row, was acquitted in a retrial of the 1966 murders of four people. Hakamata’s conviction was based on fabricated accusations and he was finally released in 2014. His sister Hideko was overjoyed by the verdict, expressing immense gratitude to everyone who supported them. Hakamata was initially found guilty of killing his company manager and three family members, but had retracted his confession and pleaded innocent during his trial. Since his release, he has been living with his sister who fought for decades to clear his name. His lawyers presented evidence, including DNA tests on bloodstained clothing, that suggested he was not guilty. The Shizuoka district court’s not guilty verdict was described as “divine” by Hakamata’s sister. The case has been hailed as a “pivotal moment for justice” by Amnesty International, who urged Japan to abolish the death penalty. Hakamata’s lead lawyer expressed surprise at the groundbreaking verdict and thanked everyone who supported them. This acquittal marks the end of a long and inspiring fight to clear Hakamata’s name after decades of wrongful imprisonment.

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