First Execution in Japan Since 2022 for the "Twitter Killer" After a Mass Murder
June 27, 20258 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The Japanese authorities today, Friday, carried out the execution by hanging of Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the "Twitter Killer", in the first execution of the death penalty in the country since 2022, a move that has sparked wide interest inside and outside Japan.
Shiraishi, who committed one of the worst crimes in modern Japanese history, was convicted of killing and dismembering nine people _eight women and one man_ after contacting them through the "Twitter" website in 2017.
He lured his victims through posts related to suicidal thoughts, offering to "help" them carry it out, only to fall victim to his bloody plan.
The crime took place in Zama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, where Shiraishi kept the bodies of his victims in coolers in his apartment.
Investigations revealed that he strangled the women after sexually assaulting them, and also killed a friend of one of the victims after suspecting his intentions.
Japanese Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai said in an official statement that the decision to carry out the sentence came after "careful consideration", considering the "extremely selfish" motive behind the crime, and the "profound shock and concern" it caused to society, justifying the application of the harshest penalties.
The execution was carried out in complete secrecy inside Tokyo prison, and was only announced after its completion.
This move comes at a time when calls within Japan are increasing to abolish the death penalty, especially after the acquittal of Iwao Hakamada, who spent many years as the world's longest-serving death row inmate before the charges against him were dropped last year.
It is worth mentioning that Japan has a low crime rate compared to other countries, however, some horrific mass crimes, such as the case of the "Twitter Killer", leave a significant impact on public opinion.
On the other hand, the suicide rate in the country remains among the highest globally, and has recently risen again after a slight decline, due to the psychological and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
