Iwao Hakamada, the longest-serving death row inmate who was wrongfully convicted, has been awarded $1.4 million for over 40 years spent in detention, most on death row. The compensation reflects the hardships he endured, which have sparked a re-evaluation of Japan’s justice system, particularly its retrial processes and treatment of inmates. Hakamada was exonerated in 2014 after evidence tampering was revealed.
A Japanese man, Iwao Hakamada, who was wrongfully convicted of murder and held on death row for over four decades, has been awarded $1.4 million in compensation. This payout, amounting to 12,500 yen daily, marks a record for such compensation, as reported by Japanese media. Hakamada, now aged 89, was exonerated for his role in a 1966 quadruple murder, following persistent advocacy by his sister and supporters.
The awarding of compensation raises significant concerns regarding Japan’s justice system, where it is notably challenging to obtain a retrial. Death row inmates typically remain uninformed about impending executions until mere hours before they occur. The Shizuoka District Court recently declared that Hakamada would receive 217,362,500 yen, reflecting the court’s earlier conclusion in September that he was not guilty and that evidence had been manipulated by police.
Hakamada endured incredibly harsh treatment, including “inhumane interrogations that aimed to elicit a confession,” which he later revoked. His legal team emphasized that the compensation does not adequately address the suffering he experienced from his wrongful arrest in 1966 to his eventual release in 2014. Attorney Hideyo Ogawa acknowledged, “I think the fact that he will receive it… compensates him a little bit for all the hardship,” but also pointed out that the amount fails to reflect the extensive pain endured during those years.
The prolonged detention deeply affected Hakamada’s mental wellbeing, leading his legal team to describe him as “living in a world of fantasy.” He was initially found guilty of robbing and murdering his employer, their spouse, and two teenagers. Despite initially denying the accusations, he purportedly confessed under duress. Subsequent investigations revealed that crucial evidence had been fabricated.
Now living with his sister and supported by advocates, Hakamada is the fifth death row inmate in the history of post-war Japan to be granted a retrial, all of which have resulted in exoneration. Notably, Japan remains one of the few developed democracies, alongside the United States, to maintain capital punishment, a practice that enjoys widespread public backing. Japan’s Justice Minister declared in October that abolishing the death penalty would be “inappropriate,” even following Hakamada’s acquittal.
In conclusion, Iwao Hakamada’s case exemplifies the significant flaws within Japan’s legal framework, particularly concerning the treatment of death row inmates. His record compensation of $1.4 million highlights the grave injustices he suffered during his lengthy detention. As Japan continues to uphold capital punishment, the government faces mounting scrutiny regarding the ethical implications of this policy, especially in light of wrongful convictions like Hakamada’s.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
