Hakamata to File Lawsuit Against Government Over Wrongful Conviction

Iwao Hakamata plans to sue the central and prefectural governments for damages related to his wrongful conviction from 1966. His legal action is set for August 18, aligning with the anniversary of his arrest. The Shizuoka District Court previously awarded him ¥217 million for unjust detention, though his defense team believes this is insufficient.

Iwao Hakamata’s legal team intends to sue the central and prefectural governments for damages in connection with his wrongful conviction from a 1966 murder case in Shizuoka Prefecture. The lawsuit is scheduled for August 18, marking the anniversary of Hakamata’s original arrest. Recently, he was awarded approximately ¥217 million ($1.44 million) by the Shizuoka District Court as compensation for his over 47 years of wrongful detention under the criminal compensation law.

According to Hideyo Ogawa, the head of Hakamata’s legal defense, the awarded compensation is insufficient given the extensive harm inflicted by the unjust imprisonment. Ogawa stated, “We’ll seek damages and clarify the cause of the false charge.” Hakamata was accused of murdering a family of four and was sentenced to death in 1980. However, after a retrial in 2014, he was released in 2015 due to the lack of evidence against him.

In September of last year, Hakamata was formally acquitted, and the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office subsequently chose not to appeal the acquittal, which solidified Hakamata’s exoneration after nearly five decades of wrongful detention.

Iwao Hakamata’s case highlights the grave consequences of wrongful convictions and the need for accountability in the justice system. With plans to sue for additional damages, his legal team aims to address the inadequacies of current compensation laws and uncover the roots of the wrongful charges against him. This case not only seeks reparations for Hakamata but also emphasizes the importance of judicial integrity.

Original Source: www.japantimes.co.jp