Freedom After 50 Years: Japanese Boxer Acquitted of Murder
A former Japanese boxer, Iwao Hakamada, was acquitted by the Shizuoka District Court after more than 50 years since being convicted of killing his boss and family. The court ruled that Hakamada, now 88, was innocent following a retrial granted a decade ago. The presiding judge acknowledged the manipulation of evidence and confirmed Hakamada’s innocence.
This marks the fifth time a death row inmate has been granted a retrial in Japan’s post-war history, with all previous cases resulting in acquittals. The case of Hakamada has captivated the nation, drawing crowds to the court for the verdict. In 1968, he was sentenced to death for the murder after a confession obtained through alleged police brutality.
Despite a previous appeal being dismissed 27 years after the sentencing, a second appeal filed by Hakamada’s sister led to the recent retrial. Japan’s use of capital punishment remains controversial, with 107 prisoners awaiting execution by hanging as of December.