Overview

• Iwao Hakamada, wrongfully imprisoned for 47 years, has been awarded 217 million yen (approximately 1.45 million USD), the largest compensation in a Japanese criminal case.
• Hakamada was acquitted in September 2024 after evidence in his 1968 conviction for a quadruple murder was found to have been fabricated.
• His confession was coerced through physical abuse during interrogations lasting up to 12 hours daily, a practice criticized within Japan's justice system.
• The prolonged imprisonment caused severe psychological and physical harm, with Hakamada unable to attend court hearings due to his condition.
• This historic case has intensified discussions on Japan's reliance on the death penalty and the need for justice system reforms.