Japanese Man Acquitted of 1966 Murders Receives Record Compensation

Shizuoka – Iwao Hakamata, 89, who was acquitted in a retrial for the 1966 murder of a family of four, has been awarded a record sum in criminal compensation after spending over 47 years in prison following a wrongful death sentence.

The Shizuoka District Court ordered the Japanese government to pay 217 million yen ($1.44 million) for his decades of wrongful imprisonment. Hakamata, who still suffers from the effects of his confinement, was released in 2014, and his acquittal was finalized in October 2023, following years of legal battles by his family and defense team.

Wrongful Conviction and Fabricated Evidence

According to the court, investigative authorities fabricated evidence, which led to Hakamata’s conviction. This fabrication was a key factor in determining the compensation amount. The court acknowledged that he endured severe physical and mental suffering, having spent 33 years under a death sentence.

Legal Action Against Authorities

Hakamata’s legal team has announced plans to sue Shizuoka Prefecture and the national government by this summer, holding them accountable for the wrongful conviction.

At a press conference, one of his lawyers emphasized that awarding the highest-ever criminal compensation was justified in a case involving a fabricated death penalty conviction. However, the lawyer also criticized the government, stating that 200 million yen is not enough to atone for the injustice Hakamata endured.

The case stands as a stark reminder of the flaws in Japan’s justice system, particularly in death penalty cases.