Hakamata was taken into custody on August 18, 1966, when he was 30 years old. CNN
Iwao Hakamata, the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, may soon clear his name after over 50 years in prison. Hakamata, now 88, was convicted in 1968 for the murder of his employer’s family, a case that has brought global attention to Japan's justice system. On Thursday, a Japanese court will announce its decision in Hakamata’s retrial, offering hope for justice.
Once a professional boxer, Hakamata retired in 1961 and found a job at a soybean processing plant. In 1966, his boss, the boss’s wife, and their two children were brutally killed, and their home was set on fire. Hakamata was soon named the prime suspect. After enduring days of harsh interrogation, he initially confessed but later retracted his statement, saying the police forced him to confess by threatening and beating him. Despite maintaining his innocence, Hakamata was sentenced to death in a 2-1 ruling by judges. The dissenting judge later resigned, expressing his discontent with the verdict.
In this 1957 photo, Hakamata is shown during his short career as a professional boxer. Years after he left the sport, his former boxing association has rallied behind him, holding protests to push for a retrial. CNN
Hakamata spent over 46 years on death row, waiting to be executed. His release came a decade ago when new DNA evidence cast doubt on his guilt. A blood-stained pair of pants found at the crime scene, key evidence in his conviction, did not match his DNA or the victims’. In 2014, the court ordered a retrial due to this finding, and Hakamata was freed while awaiting the outcome. Although Japan’s Tokyo High Court initially dismissed the retrial request, Japan’s Supreme Court intervened, and in 2023, the retrial was granted.
Japan’s justice system, which boasts a 99% conviction rate, has come under scrutiny due to cases like Hakamata’s. Many critics argue that the country’s reliance on confessions, sometimes obtained through force, leads to wrongful convictions. Prosecutors in Japan are often expected to secure confessions to ensure convictions and an acquittal can negatively impact their careers.
On June 30, 1966, Hakamata’s boss, along with his wife and their two children, were murdered in their home. After the killings, the house was set on fire. CNN
Hakamata’s mental health has significantly deteriorated over the years, and according to his sister Hideko, now 91, he struggles to recognize reality. Despite his fragile state, Hakamata’s supporters have continued to fight for his freedom. They argue that his conviction, based on a forced confession and questionable evidence, exemplifies the flaws in Japan’s legal system, and have used his case to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty in the country.
Japan is the only G7 nation besides the United States to still carry out executions. While no executions occurred in 2023, death row prisoners in Japan are kept in solitary confinement, with little contact with the outside world. Executions are often conducted without prior notice, leaving families and lawyers to find out only after the execution has taken place.
After his third trial in 1967, Hakamata wrote a letter to his mother, expressing regret for causing his family distress. He wrote, "God, I am not a criminal." CNN
Though Hakamata may not fully comprehend the significance of Thursday’s ruling, his supporters, including his sister Hideko, continue to hope for justice and his full exoneration. In recent years, Hakamata has found comfort in small pleasures, such as adopting two cats and enjoying afternoon drives with friends. His supporters remain optimistic that he will finally be declared innocent after decades of suffering.
