Takahiro Shiraishi—dubbed the “Twitter killer”—was executed by hanging on June 27, 2025, in Japan’s first use of the death penalty in nearly three years, ending a case that shocked the nation and ignited debate over capital punishment.
Social Media Predator Lured Vulnerable Victims
Between August and October 2017, Shiraishi used Twitter (now X) to reach individuals expressing suicidal thoughts, posing as someone willing to help them die. Instead, he raped, murdered, and dismembered nine victims—eight women aged 15–26 and one man—in his apartment near Tokyo. He concealed body parts in coolers and storage boxes, disposing of others in rubbish dumps.
Judicial Process and Admission of Guilt
In 2020, Shiraishi pleaded guilty to nine counts of murder, overturning his lawyer’s claim that the killings involved consented suicides. Police discovered the remains after tracing a missing person to his apartment. The court sentenced him to death, a sentence finalized in January 2021 after he declined to appeal.
Justice Minister Defends Execution
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki announced the execution—conducted at Tokyo Detention House—following “careful and deliberate consideration.” He described Shiraishi’s motives as “selfish,” citing public shock at the brutality of his crimes. This was the first execution under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government.
Capital Punishment Debate Reignited
Japan’s use of the death penalty—rare and carried out by hanging in secrecy—was last applied in 2022. The execution has revived ethical and legal discussions following the 2024 exoneration of Iwao Hakamada, who spent 45 years on death row before being acquitted. While 83% of Japanese citizens support capital punishment, critics, including human rights groups, call for transparency reforms and reconsideration .
Harrowing Case Sparks Social Media Reforms
Authorities say Shiraishi exploited his Twitter profile—reportedly named “Hangman”—to prey on the mentally vulnerable. His crimes prompted platform changes to policies on self-harm content and pushed the government to strengthen suicide-prevention safeguards.
Final Chapter, Lingering Questions
With 105 prisoners still on death row, Japan remains one of only two G7 nations retaining capital punishment. Shiraishi’s execution closes a disturbing chapter in Japanese criminal history—but also leaves unresolved debates over the justice system’s reliance on secrecy and the moral justifications for state-sanctioned death.
This case underscores the complexities of addressing heinous crime while balancing public demand for justice with global dialogue on human rights and penological ethics.
