Japan's Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate Acquitted After 58 Years

Prosecutors decide not to appeal Iwao Hakamada's exoneration, finalizing a decades-long legal battle over a 1966 murder case.

Hakamada, 88, was acquitted by the Shizuoka District Court, which found evidence was fabricated by police and prosecutors.
The decision not to appeal comes just days before the deadline, bringing closure to the case.
Hakamada's sister, Hideko, played a significant role in the fight for his exoneration.
Japan's justice system, known for its high conviction rate and slow retrial process, rarely grants retrials.
Hakamada is now eligible for government compensation and may pursue further legal action against authorities.