Japan Court Awards $1.45 Million to Wrongfully Convicted Hakamada Iwao

A Japanese court has ordered compensation of $1.45 million to Hakamada Iwao, who was wrongfully imprisoned for 47 years in a 1966 murder case. His acquittal followed a retrial, where the court recognized severe injustices he endured during detention, including inhumane treatment. This compensation is noted as the highest of its kind in Japan.

A central Japan court has ruled for a compensation of over 217 million yen (approximately $1.45 million) to Hakamada Iwao, who was acquitted in a 1966 murder case, marking the highest compensation amount in Japan for such a case. Hakamada, now 89, was wrongfully accused of murdering a family of four in Shizuoka Prefecture. Although he received a death penalty initially, a retrial in October last year led to his acquittal.

Hakamada’s lawyer, acting as his guardian upon request from Hakamada’s sister, argued for compensation due to Hakamada’s unjust detention for over 47 years. The lawyer calculated the claim at 12,500 yen per day, which is the maximum stipulated by law. The district court recently decided to grant the full amount sought.

In the judgment, Presiding Judge Kunii Koshi highlighted that Hakamada endured about 33 years of detention under the threat of capital punishment, suffering extreme mental and physical distress. The judge remarked on the inhumane interrogation practices conducted by investigative bodies and emphasized that the conviction was based on misleading evidence, specifically five items of clothing manipulated by investigators, which were crucial to securing the initial guilty verdict.

The court’s ruling in favor of Hakamada Iwao represents a significant legal development in Japan regarding wrongful convictions. The substantial compensation reflects acknowledgment of the injustice Hakamada faced during his extensive wrongful detention and the severe consequences it had on his mental and physical well-being.

Original Source: www3.nhk.or.jp