TOKYO – Japan has executed Takahiro Shiraishi, the man known as the “Twitter killer,” marking the nation’s first use of the death penalty since 2022. Shiraishi was convicted of murdering and dismembering nine people he met online.
Immediate Impact of Execution
On Friday, Takahiro Shiraishi, aged 34, was hanged for his heinous crimes committed in 2017. Shiraishi had targeted users on the social media platform now called X, who had expressed suicidal thoughts, offering them false promises of assistance or companionship in death.
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki described Shiraishi’s actions as “robbery, rape, murder … destruction of a corpse and abandonment of a corpse,” detailing the gruesome nature of his crimes that shocked the nation.
Key Details Emerge
Shiraishi’s victims, eight women and one man, were lured to his home near Tokyo, where he raped and murdered them. The male victim was the boyfriend of one of the women, killed to silence him. Shiraishi’s apartment, dubbed a “house of horrors” by media outlets, contained dismembered bodies found in coolers and toolboxes.
“Nine victims were beaten and strangled, killed, robbed, and then mutilated with parts of their bodies concealed in boxes, and parts discarded in a garbage dump,” Suzuki told reporters in Tokyo.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Shiraishi was sentenced to death in 2020. His lawyers argued for a prison sentence, claiming the victims had consented to die. However, the judge dismissed this, labeling the crimes “cunning and cruel,” emphasizing that Shiraishi preyed on the mentally vulnerable.
“The dignity of the victims was trampled upon,” the judge remarked, highlighting the calculated nature of Shiraishi’s actions.
Background Context
The murders were uncovered in autumn 2017, following the disappearance of a 23-year-old woman who had tweeted about suicidal thoughts. Her brother accessed her Twitter account, leading police to Shiraishi’s residence.
Japan and the United States remain the only G7 countries still practicing capital punishment. Public support for the death penalty in Japan remains strong, with executions carried out by hanging.
There was one execution in 2022, three in 2021, three in 2019, and 15 in 2018, the justice ministry reported.
Expert Analysis and Regional Implications
Shiraishi’s execution is the first under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s administration, reflecting Japan’s continued commitment to capital punishment despite international criticism. The execution process in Japan is shrouded in secrecy, with prisoners informed of their execution only on the morning it is to be carried out.
Experts note that nearly half of Japan’s death row inmates are seeking retrials, and the system’s lack of transparency has been a point of contention both domestically and internationally.
What Comes Next
The execution of Shiraishi may reignite debates over the death penalty in Japan. While public support remains high, human rights organizations continue to advocate for greater transparency and eventual abolition.
Meanwhile, the government faces pressure to address the societal issues highlighted by Shiraishi’s crimes, including mental health support and the regulation of social media platforms.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email [email protected].
