World’s longest-serving death row inmate acquitted in Japan mulls suing government

"The case is not fully closed for them yet because prosecutors can still technically appeal the decision"

Well, they have no shame (as the powerful rarely do in Japan; it's for the little people) but surely that would be a step too far even for them.

Of course he should

In Japan, executions are carried out in secrecy and prisoners are not informed of their fate until the morning they are hanged.

So they go to bed everyday not knowing it they'll be hanged the next day

"...defense team is considering filing a damage suit against the government..."

Considering?

I’m sure Hakamata will most likely receive tens of millions of yen in damages. Only he doesn’t have much time left to spend it and enjoy the rest of his life.

Call me cynical, but whats the bet that MoJ string out law suit until he passes away. With his mental decline and being aged 88 the poor guy is unlikely to receive compensation in his lifetime.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

""Iwao Hakamada, an 88-year-old former boxer, was found not guilty last Thursday by the Shizuoka District Court which concluded that police and prosecutors collaborated in fabricating and planting evidence against him. The court said he was forced into confession by violent, hours-long closed interrogations.""

This is really a heart breaking story regardless of where it happened or who the victim was.

Japan can do better than this, shame on who ever committed this CRIME and who ever allowed it to CONTINUE for so long, almost hard to believe.

“I will keep reminding him of his acquittal every day” until he can finally believe it.

Right in the feels. Hideko, you are a saint.

So they go to bed everyday not knowing it they'll be hanged the next day

Yes, but still more warning than their victims got. But who cares about the victims when murderers feelings are hurt?

I don't blame him. The government took away his life. So, as he should sue them, and no "gomennasai bow" will do neither.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

This case highlights one reason for abolishing the death penalty. There is no need for justice system to be this cruel. I am not saying they should go so far as countries like Australia have with the leanest of prison terms being given to murderers for their heinous crimes but abolishing the death penalty would be a good step forward. I hope this man gets enough compensation to live a very comfortable life.

His mind is completely shot, poor guy. I saw him on the NHK news the other evening. He's like a five year-old in an old man's body. Knowing Japan, even if his claim for compensation is accepted, he'll get a pitiful amount, like one million yen, or some such nonsense.

He won't live long enough to see the outcome.

Yeah, we established that.

The best compensation for Hakamada would be a total cleanup of the police/justice system. Access to lawyers for detainees. All interrogations videoed. Abolish the death penalty. And a real investigation, trial and punishment of those who fabricated the evidence.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

Do it.

Mr Kipling

Today 08:45 am JST

So they go to bed everyday not knowing it they'll be hanged the next day

> Yes, but still more warning than their victims got. But who cares about the victims when murderers feelings are hurt?

Would you feel better if the murderer gave the victims more warning?

He won't live long enough to see the outcome.

It doesn't mean he shouldn't try.

In case you missed it, a serious miscarriage of justice has been made at so many levels.

He is well within his rights and should get full public support.

@Inspectorgadget, your thoughts were exactly the same as mine, I am sure they will drag it out for decades, appeal after considering, then counter claim,

The case is not fully closed for them yet because prosecutors can still technically appeal the decision

Just out of spite alone I can see the prosecutors appealing the decision.

Personally speaking, they should, the prosecutors themselves, are the one's who should be on trial for failure to uphold the public trust in the rule of law, and allow a human being to suffer as long as he did, due to their negligence!

Burning Bush

He won't live long enough to see the outcome.

It doesn't mean he shouldn't try.

Another of my comments 1/19 you find interest in. No one else?

I didn't say he shouldn't if the compensation can still be paid after his death.

In case you missed it, a serious miscarriage of justice has been made at so many levels.

I think you have missed the many articles on him over many years, my comments supporting him, and my comments against the cruel treatment on death row. There was an article just last week. You can check my archives. You like that.

He is well within his rights and should get full public support.

He will have to pay court costs upfront depending on the size of the claim. A basic fee to a lawyer and a percentage of the compensation to the lawyer if he wins.

He won't live long enough to see the outcome.

He lived long enough to see justice.

I didn't say he shouldn't if the compensation can still be paid after his death.

Compensation or no compensation, what he has been through he is entitled to confront the system

He will have to pay court costs upfront depending on the size of the claim. A basic fee to a lawyer and a percentage of the compensation to the lawyer if he wins.

we know how the legal system works

Burning Bush

He won't live long enough to see the outcome.

He lived long enough to see justice.

Yes, I fully agree but I'm not sure how much he takes in since his mind is shot.

You thought another response was required without one to any other poster.

I didn't say he shouldn't if the compensation can still be paid after his death.

Compensation or no compensation, what he has been through he is entitled to confront the system

Did any poster on this deny that? There was one the other day still casting doubts.

He will have to pay court costs upfront depending on the size of the claim. A basic fee to a lawyer and a percentage of the compensation to the lawyer if he wins.

we know how the legal system works

Speaking for all again. Do you have experience? Anyway, not all readers know how the system works.

Compensation should be paid to him automatically without the need for a lawsuit. I believe there is already a formula for the amount.

Moderator: Thanks for your contribution. Your comment has been featured in the latest episode of the Japan This Week podcast. Visit the Japan Today top page to listen.

And I can see the legal system here saying 100,000 yen with no apology.

Hakamada is entitled to receive compensation of up to about 200 million yen ($1.4 million) when prosecutors accept the ruling, making the acquittal final.

Time to pass into law Double Jeopardy in Japan (a protection that prevents a defendant from being tried twice for the same offense. Double jeopardy applies after an acquittal or a conviction is reached). Prosecutors, not defendants, should be prevented from appealing a courts ruling! Secondly, set up an appeals panel and base the decision on the merits of the ruling as it's HIGHLY unlikely new evidence will be admitted by prosecutors. During this process, the defendant is released and allowed to go home, if one is still there. Prosecutors NEVER accept a not guilty ruling and to save face, probably a promotion, are more or less forced to appeal such rulings. If J-prosecutors can't win a case in a J-court then suck it up and move on or find another job. Time to end this but as plain to see here, justice in Japan takes decades to happen, a lifetime for some :(

Do not waste time. And do it for all the possibilities including lost revenue had you started your own company, plus pain and suffering.

Considering?!! If it was me the letter would have been delivered the next day!