Wrongfully Imprisoned for 47 Years, Iwao Hakamata Awarded Record Compensation

Former Death Row Inmate Awarded Record Compensation for Wrongful Conviction

Iwao Hakamata, a former death row inmate who was recently acquitted after decades behind bars, has been awarded a record-breaking compensation of 217 million yen ($1.44 million) by the Shizuoka District Court. This marks the largest amount ever awarded under Japan's wrongful incarceration compensation system.

The court acknowledged the "extremely severe mental and physical suffering" Hakamata endured during his 47 years and seven months of imprisonment, including 33 years spent on death row. He was initially convicted of murdering four family members in 1966, but a retrial in September 2024 finally acquitted him.

The retrial was ordered after evidence used to convict Hakamata, namely bloodstained clothing, was found to be likely fabricated. The court's decision to award the maximum compensation of 12,500 yen per day reflects the severity of the injustice he faced.

Hakamata's defense team praised the ruling, stating that the fabrication of evidence by investigators warranted the highest compensation amount. They are also preparing a separate lawsuit against police and prosecutors for investigative misconduct and plan to sue Prosecutor General Naomi Unemoto for defamation.

Unemoto's statement expressing "strong dissatisfaction" with the retrial ruling has sparked outrage among Hakamata's supporters and the public, who view it as a continued implication of his guilt. This case highlights the devastating consequences of wrongful convictions and the importance of holding authorities accountable for misconduct.