Tokyo, June 27
Japan on Friday executed a man convicted of the 2017 serial killing of nine people in Kanagawa Prefecture. The 34-year-old accused Shiraishi Takahiro, dubbed Japan's "Twitter killer," was hanged at the Tokyo Detention House.
This was the first execution carried out in Japan since July 2022, and the first under Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s administration, according to media reports.
Addressing a press conference on Friday morning, Japan’s Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki stated that he carefully considered the matter before approving the execution order for the death row inmate convicted of killing nine people.
“This case, driven by selfish motives such as sexual and financial gratification, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals over two months – a deeply serious incident that has caused shock and anxiety across society. I understand it is an especially heartbreaking case for both the victims and their families,” the Justice Minister told reporters.
“The death sentence was finalised following a thorough trial process. After careful and deliberate consideration of all factors, I issued the execution order,” Suzuki added.