Iwao Hakamada, wrongfully imprisoned for 46 years, received ¥142 million in compensation after being exonerated for a 1966 quadruple murder. His case reveals serious flaws in the investigation, including coerced confessions and evidence manipulation. Hakamada is the longest-serving death row inmate in Japan to be freed after a retrial, but his mental health has been severely affected by his ordeal.
Iwao Hakamada, a Japanese man who was wrongfully incarcerated for 46 years on death row, has been awarded ¥142 million (approximately $1.4 million) in compensation, as reported by news agency AFP. He is recognized as the longest-serving death row inmate in Japan to be exonerated following a retrial. The compensation roughly translates to ¥12,500 (about $83) for each year spent in prison, where he lived under the constant threat of execution.
Hakamada, now 89 years old, was convicted of a brutal 1966 quadruple murder. His exoneration in 2024 came after years of advocacy from his sister and supporters. In September 2024, a court ruled him not guilty, highlighting that the original investigation had involved evidence manipulation.
The court acknowledged the inhumane treatment Hakamada faced, including coercive interrogations that led to a false confession. His legal team, however, expressed that no amount of monetary compensation can adequately address the psychological impact and suffering he endured during decades of isolation and the impending execution.
Iwao Hakamada became only the fifth individual on death row in postwar Japan to receive a retrial, joining other cases that have also resulted in exoneration. His tragic story encompasses a life altered dramatically due to wrongful accusations, leaving profound scars on his mental health.
In June 1966, Hakamada was arrested for the murders of a family linked to the soybean factory where he worked. The police cited blood traces on his pajamas as evidence, despite those traces not belonging to him. His initial confession was later retracted, citing police coercion. Despite lacking concrete evidence that linked him to the crime, he was sentenced to death in 1968.
After years, a Japanese court acquitted Hakamada in September 2024, declaring him “innocent.” His sister, Hideko, noted the severe impact the incarceration had on his mental state, revealing that Hakamada struggled to comprehend his acquittal and lived in isolation from reality.
In summary, Iwao Hakamada’s exoneration after spending 46 years on death row exemplifies the profound injustices that can occur in the criminal justice system. He has been awarded a record compensation for his wrongful conviction, although his mental health suffers from the years of hardship endured. This case highlights the need for vigilant advocacy for those wrongfully accused and underscores the importance of fair legal processes in the pursuit of justice.
Original Source: news.abplive.com
