Japan Compensates Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate $1.4 Million

Iwao Hakamada, the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, received $1.4 million in compensation after being exonerated for a 1966 quadruple murder. His case prompts scrutiny of Japan’s justice system and highlights issues related to wrongful convictions and death row conditions, where inmates face significant psychological distress. Hakamada’s experience raises questions regarding the appropriateness of capital punishment in modern society.

Iwao Hakamada, wrongly convicted of murder and recognized as the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, has been awarded $1.4 million in compensation by the Japanese government. This payout amounts to 12,500 yen ($83) for each day he spent in detention over more than four decades, primarily on death row, where his life faced constant uncertainty. This is considered the highest compensation of its kind in Japan.

The 89-year-old Hakamada was exonerated last year from the charges of a 1966 quadruple murder thanks to a relentless campaign led by his sister and various allies. His case has initiated critical discussions surrounding Japan’s justice system, particularly regarding the challenges faced in obtaining retrials and the distressing treatment of death row inmates, who are often notified of their execution mere hours before it occurs.

On Monday, the Shizuoka District Court awarded him 217,362,500 yen ($1.44 million) as compensation. Previously, in September, the same court ruled that Hakamada was not guilty and established that police had manipulated evidence against him. The court noted the inhumane interrogations that led Hakamada to initially confess to a crime he did not commit.

However, Hakamada’s legal representatives commented that this financial award is insufficient to cover the enormity of his suffering since his arrest in 1966 and subsequent release in 2014. Lawyer Hideyo Ogawa remarked that while the compensation is a step towards redress, it inadequately addresses the scope of Hakamada’s ordeal.

The psychological impact of four decades under death row conditions has been severe, with lawyers describing him as residing in a “world of fantasy.” Initially accused of murdering his boss and the boss’s family, Hakamada insisted he had been coerced into confessing the crimes. Investigators later claimed to have found crucial evidence, such as blood-stained clothing, which the court later determined had been fabricated.

Now living with his sister and aided by supporters, Hakamada’s case marks him as only the fifth death row inmate to attain a retrial in Japan’s post-war history, with all previous retrials also ending in exoneration. Despite this, Japan continues to uphold its use of capital punishment, with recent statements from the justice minister suggesting that the death penalty remains necessary, even following the acquittal of men like Hakamada.

Iwao Hakamada’s case highlights significant issues within Japan’s judicial system, particularly regarding wrongful convictions and the treatment of death row inmates. His record compensation reflects recognition of his 48 years of suffering, yet many believe it cannot compensate for his ordeal. Continued support for abolishing capital punishment remains a topic of public debate in Japan, especially in light of recent acquittals.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com