Iwao Hakamata, an 89-year-old former boxer, has been granted approximately 217 million yen (US$1.4 million) in compensation by a Japanese court for enduring nearly 48 years of wrongful imprisonment, including over four decades on death row. This payout equates to 12,500 yen (US$83) for each day he was unjustly detained.
Hakamata was originally convicted in 1968 for the 1966 murders of his employer and the employer’s family. His conviction was primarily based on a confession obtained under duress during extended interrogations without legal representation. In 2014, new evidence emerged suggesting that key evidence had been fabricated, leading to his release. A retrial in 2024 resulted in his formal acquittal.
Under Japan’s Criminal Compensation Act, individuals acquitted after wrongful convictions are entitled to compensation determined by the court, considering factors such as the duration of detention and potential future earnings. Hakamata’s legal team advocated for the maximum amount, highlighting the profound mental and physical toll of his prolonged incarceration and the constant fear of execution.
This case has intensified scrutiny of Japan’s criminal justice system, particularly its reliance on confessions and the treatment of death row inmates. Human rights organizations have cited Hakamata’s ordeal as a compelling argument for reforming interrogation practices and reevaluating the use of capital punishment in the country.
