Takahiro Shiraishi, dubbed the ‘Twitter killer,’ was executed by Japan for the murder of nine people he lured through social media. The crimes took place in 2017 in Kanagawa Prefecture, with Shiraishi strangling and dismembering eight women and one man. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki approved the execution, emphasizing the defendant’s selfish motives and the societal impact of the crimes. The execution is the first under the current government and the first in almost three years, following a similar execution in 2022. Death row inmates in Japan are notified hours before their execution by hanging, a practice criticized by human rights groups. The Justice Minister maintains that capital punishment is necessary to address ongoing violent crimes, with 105 inmates currently awaiting execution.
