crime

Death-row inmate hanged in 1st execution since August

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Japan, with the death penalty, has the lowest murder rate in the OECD.

29 states in US have death penalty and look at the crime rate in that country. The association between death penalty and low crime rate is a total load of non sense.

14 ( +28 / -14 )

The family had invited the Chinese student to the house many times for meals.  That's why the Chinese knew inside the house and chose the family to rob.  The two children were also killed because they knew the Chinese student.

13 ( +16 / -3 )

Just looking at that trap door is creepy.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

I certainly hope they got the right guy.

The death penalty advocates don’t seem to worry about the possibility of an innocent citizen being murdered by the state.

They have more faith in justice systems than I think they deserve.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

WilliB said -

"...I have heard that before, but do you have data for that claim?"

America.

9 ( +19 / -10 )

Kudos to China for not tolerating crimes.

Especially the horrible crimes of political dissent or belief in religion. Those disgusting criminals!!!

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Fighto!Today  01:24 pm JST

*Lets allow the Japanese to run their legal system as suits them - including capital puishment. I am sure we would not appreciate Japanese telling us how to run ours. It seems to be working well for them, considering Japans violent crime and muder rate being the lowest in the world.*

So you’re not Japanese now??? Make up your mind!!!

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Anyone care to justify leaving this animal alive?

Yep,

What he did was barbaric. But the death penalty is barbaric and savage as well.

It doesn't make things right.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

What I find annoying on here (Japan Today) is that foreigners, whom I respect profoundly, come here and try to meddle and impose their views on capital punishment when most Japanese support it. Deal with it.

Who is meddling, sport? People are just expressing opinions.

You know, democracy and freedom of speech and all that.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Good riddance! I support the death penalty esp. for scum like them.

6 ( +20 / -14 )

Michael Reed:

The death penalty needs to be abolished in Japan.

....especially the death penalty handed out by WeiWei to the family of four. Agree?

4 ( +17 / -13 )

I have no objection to the death penalty in principle, although I am very sceptical regarding Japanese law / rule of law, and the system as a whole (re. detention without trail, forced / false confessions, no lawyer present).

4 ( +10 / -6 )

I certainly hope they got the right guy.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

It is my understanding that Japanese authorities continue give the reason for enforcing the death penalty as being out of "consideration to sensibilities of families of the victims." Irrespective of the pros or cons of capital punishment, this particular argument is probably illogical. For one thing the families -- who are not necessarily consulted before sentencing is handed down -- almost certainly harbor a wide range of views on capital punishment. By adopting such an illogical argument Japan is not being honest with itself, which renders the debate ineffective.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Fighto!Today  11:18 am JST

Japan, with the death penalty, has the lowest murder rate in the OECD. Fact. There is no doubt that would be killers think again before committing heinous crimes, and the statistics show this.

Statistics can't tell you anything about that as each person's mind works differently. I honestly doubt that those men came to Japan on student visas just to rob and kill Japanese so they weren't really 'would be killers.' When they actually did the deed then they became killers. They probably did not even know each other prior to coming and may even have had spotless criminal records because I am pretty sure you can't get a student visa being a convicted killer (but I did not check that). Also, there IS doubt because even with the death penalty, these guys still committed the crime, therefore your own argument is working against you.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Justice has done. May he rot in hell.

2 ( +18 / -16 )

Merry Christmas!

This type of vermin, doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as us.

Wish Australia followed Japan, in the execution stakes.

Send the message loud and clear .

Happy New Year !

Lets hope we , get rid of a few more....

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Once again, in line with the continuing world-wide trend of crafty (but oh so transparent) politicians exploiting the "soft", feminine image of women by putting them out front to carry out some of the more sordid and unpleasant political tasks in order to psychologically massage public opinion and smoothe the ruffled feathers of sensitive consciences, Justice Minister Mori announced to the nation another state-sanctioned killing. The lack of public debate on the death penalty and the secrecy surrounding incarceration betray the true colors of Japan's authoritarian "democracy".

1 ( +6 / -5 )

There are many countries that have the death penalty especially in the middle east, where is the displeasure or outcry regarding them?

Japan exercises its right to terminate the worst of the murderous ones , atleast it does not execute those criminals who commit simple or lesser crimes like some other places.

Repeat child molesters should be added to the list of those who can be terminated along with the worst rapists.

That would go along way to protecting those who need protection the most from the sickest predators in society.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

@wbobot

Easier than afterwards....

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Best thing for this type of creep

0 ( +1 / -1 )

> Japan, with the death penalty, has the lowest murder rate in the OECD. Fact. There is no doubt that would be killers think again before committing heinous crimes, and the statistics show this

Yes, Japan has the lowest murder rate but that does not prove that Japan having the death penalty is the cause of this low murder rate.

There is also no proof that would be killers "think again" before committing murder. Certain criminals do not spend a lot of time pondering their actions in advance.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The cost figure is based on a single study from California in the early 90s which suggested that each death penalty case costs at least $1.25 million more than a regular murder case and a sentence of life without the possibility of parole (https://www.jstor.org/stable/3053753?seq=1) which is relevant if your justice is up for sale to the highest bidder.

Deterrence isn't the primary reason for executing inmates, but Wei Wei will no longer be around to commit any more crimes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan, with the death penalty, has the lowest murder rate in the OECD. Fact. There is no doubt that would be killers think again before committing heinous crimes, and the statistics show this.

-1 ( +25 / -26 )

Good to see they are clearing the back log, what I never understood is why does it take so long? some of these people have been waiting for years I appreciate appeals but if they cant be found not guilty after three appeals then penalty should be carried out as quick as possible.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

Good news. The only bad thing about Japan’s death penalty system is how long it takes.

-1 ( +18 / -19 )

A terrible and crude reminiscent of the meideval/feudal eras.

Time to abolish worldwide such inhuman procedure.

The European Union is a perfect example of it.

The governments should help rehabilitate or at least contain the criminals not merely end their lives.

-1 ( +14 / -15 )

Bye, bye, BlackBird

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

If they truly did the crime, good. Society doesn't need such people.

-2 ( +13 / -15 )

zichi:

The death penalty does not deter criminals from killing people.The cost of keeping an inmate on death row is more expensive that a prisoner with life without parole.

I have heard that before, but do you have data for that claim?

-2 ( +10 / -12 )

Michael ReedToday  11:36 am JST

The death penalty needs to be abolished in Japan.

Lets allow the Japanese to run their legal system as suits them - including capital puishment. I am sure we would not appreciate Japanese telling us how to run ours. It seems to be working well for them, considering Japans violent crime and muder rate being the lowest in the world.

-2 ( +16 / -18 )

The two accomplices were arrested by Chinese authorities after fleeing to China. One of them was sentenced to death and executed in 2005

Kudos to China for not tolerating crimes.

-2 ( +11 / -13 )

Seems they dont give it to the pedophiles unfortunately , that should be changed for the worst or repeat offenders.

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

I think he should have gotten life considering he was only a subordinate and I believe not involved in the actual murder. They already executed one of the gang.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Numerous studies have show that the death penalty is NOT a deterrent to murder.

However I support the death penalty because some criminals, for example, those who committed this crime, have no right or reason to be alive.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

My only issue with this execution is that it took so long to carry it out. Murder an entire family out of sheer greed? I don't get the sympathy for heartless animals like this. Japan is very judicious in handing out death sentences, so why change anything?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The Chinese killer should have been sent back to his native country to face a summary execution (a bullet in the back of the head) instead of languishing for years in a Japanese prison.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

The day after Christmas. I wonder if the fall guy left his thoughts written down?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Well done MOJ! Well done.

-7 ( +10 / -17 )

Good. Our society is safer. Next in line should be the Akihabara rampager.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

I believe in the death penalty and that it serves its purpose in acting as a deterrent to violent crime. The incorrigible individuals in our society who commit these kind of reprehensible crimes do not deserve the right of entitlement that other law abiding citizens do and therefore should be exterminated.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

Anyone care to justify leaving this animal alive?

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

What I find annoying on here (Japan Today) is that foreigners, whom I respect profoundly, come here and try to meddle and impose their views on capital punishment when most Japanese support it. Deal with it.

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

.. i hope he died slowly, in a lot of pain..

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

It doesn't make things right.

Why should it? Make things right for who? I best it made things just a tiny bit better for the remaining of the family.

The point is, nothing can justify feeding and keeping this animal alive out of my tax money.

-10 ( +2 / -12 )

Yep,

What he did was barbaric. But the death penalty is barbaric and savage as well.

It doesn't make things right.

You are right, but it gives closure for some, and brings justice to others. It also can be a deterrent for some and it sets the boundaries of society without which some predators would run wild and every one of those predators need to know that there is a finite line, which is the rope they will swing by.

That might help to keep you you wife and kids safe , it may not, but at least there is a thin line, taking a life is not good, but taking a life of a really bad evil bar stool is sometimes necessary.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

The death penalty needs to be abolished in Japan.

-11 ( +22 / -33 )

@ebisen: I fully support the death penalty - once the crime has been FULLY proved. There was - So no justification to let him live whatsoever.

To answer your question. Left Wing, peace loving, over reacting liberals who are trying to take over the world. They have their place, but its not on this website, in Japan, or with my views. I'm just a nice centrist, not a Trump Lover or anything - i think its William77 above who points to he EU as having abolished the death penalty as being a better place! Are you serious? Drugs. Knifes. Guns. People Smuggling!!!! Need I go on.

Not saying it doesn't exist here...but come on, get real.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

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