Japan carried out its first execution since 2022, carrying out the death penalty on Takahiro Shiraishi, who was sentenced to death for murdering nine young people in a brutal attack. The execution comes five years after he received the death sentence, marking a significant development in Japan’s approach to capital punishment.
Shiraishi, known as the ‘Twitter Killer,’ was convicted for the 2018 attack that left nine individuals dead and dozens injured. His crimes were widely condemned, particularly due to the social media aspect of the attack, which sparked global attention and debate on online safety and mental health. The execution, which was carried out in a private facility, was conducted without public witnesses, maintaining the country’s tradition of keeping such proceedings confidential.
The decision to carry out the execution has reignited discussions about the use of the death penalty in Japan, where it remains a contentious issue. While the government maintains that the death penalty is necessary to deter violent crimes, critics argue that it is an outdated and inhumane practice. This case, however, underscores the state’s commitment to enforcing severe punishments for acts of extreme violence.