Exonerated After Decades: World’s Longest-Serving Death Row Prisoner Receives $1.4 Million – Just $85 Per Day for His Ordeal

A Japanese man, Iwao Hakamata, recently received about $1.4 million in compensation after spending over 40 years on death row. This amounts to around $85 for each day he was wrongfully imprisoned. Hakamata, now 89, was convicted in 1968 for a murder he didn’t commit, despite repeatedly claiming that police manipulated evidence against him.

Hakamata was once the longest-serving death row inmate in the world. His conviction was overturned last year after DNA testing revealed that the bloodstained clothes used to convict him were planted. The Shizuoka District Court confirmed the compensation, which is the largest ever given for a wrongful conviction in Japan, according to his lawyer, Hideyo Ogawa. However, Ogawa also stated that no amount of money could truly compensate for the suffering Hakamata endured. He emphasized that the state cannot make amends for such a grave error.

Hakamata’s life took a tragic turn when he was arrested in 1966. He had been living a quiet life after retiring from boxing in 1961 and working at a soybean processing plant. Following the brutal murder of his boss and the boss’s family, Hakamata was taken in by the police. Initially, he confessed to the crime but later claimed that he had been coerced into admitting guilt through torture and threats.

The trial against him was split among judges, with a 2-1 decision leading to his death sentence. The dissenting judge left the bench shortly afterward, troubled by the verdict. Over the years, Hakamata maintained his innocence, enduring years of isolation and fear. In 2014, new evidence prompted his release, and he was fully acquitted last year.

Hakamata’s case has raised serious questions about Japan’s justice system, known for its staggering 99% conviction rate. Critics argue that the system is flawed, and many are calling for the abolition of the death penalty in Japan. Supporters of justice reform highlight how wrongful convictions can have devastating effects not just on the individuals involved but also on their families.

Social media reactions have been passionate. Many people expressed outrage over the justice system and support for Hakamata, while also sharing their experiences of wrongful convictions.

His sister, Hideko, has been a long-time advocate for his freedom. She has shared the deep mental scars her brother carries from his years in confinement. She describes a man now lost in his thoughts, struggling to connect with reality.

Experts in psychoanalysis suggest that prolonged stress and trauma from such unjust imprisonment can create lasting effects on mental health, including symptoms similar to PTSD.

Hakamata’s story shines a light on the dark side of the justice system and serves as a stark reminder that sometimes, the system can fail the very people it is meant to protect.

For more detailed insights into Japan’s criminal justice system, you can check out the Ministry of Justice’s reports here.

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