Japan has executed Takahiro Shiraishi, a man convicted of killing and dismembering nine people he contacted through social media. This marks the first use of capital punishment in Japan in nearly three years. The execution took place on a Friday, following Shiraishi’s sentencing to death for the murders he committed in 2017 in his apartment located in Zama city, Kanagawa, near Tokyo.
Shiraishi, often referred to as the "Twitter killer," reached out to his victims, offering help to those contemplating suicide. He later admitted to murdering them and hiding their remains in coolers around his home. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki approved Shiraishi’s execution, emphasizing the "extremely selfish" motives behind his actions, which he said caused significant shock and unrest in society.
This execution is notable as it is the first since July 2022, when another man was executed for a stabbing incident in Tokyo’s Akihabara shopping district. It also represents the first death penalty carried out under the government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who took office in October 2022.
In Japan, capital punishment is carried out by hanging. Prisoners are informed of their execution only hours before it takes place, a practice criticized by human rights groups for the anxiety it causes those on death row. Public support for the death penalty remains strong in Japan, with a recent survey indicating that 83 percent of respondents believe it is necessary.
This execution comes after a high-profile case in September 2023, where a Japanese court acquitted Iwao Hakamada, who had spent decades on death row for a crime he did not commit. Hakamada’s case highlighted concerns about wrongful convictions in the justice system.
The death penalty remains a controversial topic in Japan, with the country being one of the few developed nations, alongside the United States, to still practice it.