A Japanese man who spent over four decades on death row for a crime he did not commit has been awarded Ksh.181 million ($1.4 million) in compensation.
Iwao Hakamada a former boxer, now 89, was wrongfully convicted of a 1966 quadruple murder. Consequently, he endured years of detention under the constant threat of execution.
Court awards record-breaking compensation
On the 24th of March, the Shizuoka District Court ruled that Hakamada would receive 217,362,500 yen. This amount equals 12,500 yen ($83) for each day he spent behind bars.
Notably, local media report that this is the largest payout ever granted for wrongful conviction in Japan.
Exoneration after years of legal struggles
Hakamada’s exoneration came in 2023 after relentless efforts by his sister and legal team. During a retrial last September, the court declared him not guilty. Moreover, it found that police had tampered with evidence to secure his conviction.
Decades of suffering and psychological trauma
Authorities relentlessly interrogated Hakamada, forcing a confession that he later retracted. As a result, his prolonged detention severely impacted his mental health. Lawyers described him as “living in a world of fantasy.”
Despite the record-breaking compensation, his legal team argues that no financial settlement can truly make up for his suffering. In particular, the constant fear of execution left him with lasting psychological scars.
A rare case of retrial and exoneration
Hakamada is only the fifth death row inmate in Japan’s post-war history to secure a retrial. Interestingly, all previous retrials also resulted in exonerations, revealing significant flaws in Japan’s judicial system.
Renewed calls for judicial reform
His case has reignited demands for justice reform in Japan, where the death penalty remains in place. Wrongful convictions have led to lengthy incarcerations. Consequently, advocates are pushing for stronger safeguards against forced confessions and evidence tampering.
A step toward justice
While Hakamada’s release and compensation mark an important victory, his case raises serious concerns about Japan’s legal system.
Ultimately, his legal team and supporters hope his ordeal will inspire lasting changes. They want to prevent similar injustices in the future.
