105 Inmates Currently on Death Row
Serial Murder Conviction Finalized Four Years Ago
The first execution in three years was carried out in Japan. This is the first execution under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet, and the first since July 2022, almost three years ago.
According to reports from NHK and Kyodo News on the 27th, the death penalty was carried out that morning for Takahiro Shiraishi, who was indicted for the serial murder of nine people and whose sentence was finalized in January 2021.
Shiraishi was arrested in October 2017 on charges of luring teenagers and people in their twenties, who had posted messages such as "I want to die" on social networking services (SNS) from August of that year for about two months, to his home, where he sexually assaulted them or robbed them of money before killing them. At the time, police investigating a missing persons case discovered the bodies of nine victims in his home, and Shiraishi admitted to the charges.
During the first trial, Shiraishi's defense argued that "the victims sought death themselves and voluntarily went to meet the defendant, thereby consenting to be killed." However, the court found that there was no consent and sentenced him to death. Shiraishi withdrew his appeal, so the sentence was finalized as is.
This execution is the first in Japan since July 2022, nearly three years ago, and the first under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet, which was inaugurated in October last year. Currently, there are 105 inmates on death row in Japan, of whom 49 are seeking retrials or other legal remedies.
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki stated at a press conference that day, "This was a case that caused great shock and anxiety in society, but I ordered the execution after careful consideration," adding, "We are aware that there is public opinion that the death penalty is unavoidable, and we also believe that abolishing the death penalty is not appropriate."
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