In a landmark decision, a Japanese court has awarded ¥217 million (approximately $1.4 million) in compensation to Iwao Hakamada, who endured 46 years on death row before being exonerated. This sum equates to ¥12,500 (about $83) for each day he spent incarcerated.
Background of the Case
Iwao Hakamada, a former professional boxer, was arrested in 1966 for the alleged murder of his employer and the employer’s family. Convicted in 1968, he was sentenced to death, a verdict that stood for decades despite persistent claims of his innocence. In 2014, Hakamada was released after new DNA evidence suggested that the evidence used in his trial may have been fabricated.
Acquittal and Compensation
In September 2024, the Shizuoka District Court formally acquitted Hakamada, acknowledging the possibility of evidence tampering and coercion during his initial trial. Following his acquittal, the court has now approved the compensation for the 46 years he unjustly spent on death row.
Significance and Broader Implications
Hakamada’s case has drawn international attention to Japan’s criminal justice system, particularly its reliance on confessions and the treatment of death row inmates. His exoneration and the subsequent compensation highlight the urgent need for judicial reforms to prevent such miscarriages of justice in the future.
This compensation, while substantial, serves as a somber acknowledgment of the profound injustice Hakamada endured over nearly five decades.
