On October 21, 2024, Takayoshi Tsuda, the chief of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police, paid a personal visit to Iwao Hakamada, 88, at his home in Hamamatsu.
This meeting marked a significant moment, as it was the first time an official from the police or prosecutors directly apologized to Hakamada for the decades of suffering he endured due to a wrongful conviction.
An Apology Long Overdue
During his visit, Tsuda expressed deep remorse, stating, “I am sorry for the unspeakable burden and trouble we have caused you over the past 58 years, from your arrest to your acquittal.” His words came as a response to the immense psychological and emotional toll Hakamada faced after spending almost half a century on death row. 
The 91-year-old sister of Hakamada, Hideko, was also present during this moment. She conveyed her sense of acceptance, saying, “Now I think it was fate. At this point, I have no intention of making complaints to the police. Thank you very much for coming all the way here today.”
Hakamada’s mental health has significantly deteriorated over the years, making communication challenging. Following the meeting, Tsuda reiterated his apology, acknowledging that “coercive and intimidating interrogation” had been used against Hakamada. He vowed to ensure more thorough and appropriate investigations in the future.
A Long Road to Justice
Hakamada, a former professional boxer and live-in employee at a miso factory, was arrested in 1966 for the alleged murder of the firm’s senior managing director, his wife, and their two children. The family was discovered dead in their home, which had been set on fire, suffering from stab wounds.
Charged with murder, robbery, and arson, Hakamada received a death sentence in 1980. However, new evidence that emerged in 2014 cast doubt on his conviction, ultimately leading to his release. In September 2024, he was acquitted during a retrial, with the decision confirmed on October 9 when prosecutors chose not to appeal, according to Kyodo News.
After years of legal battles, the Shizuoka District Court acquitted Hakamada on September 26, 2024. This decision was based on new evidence that surfaced, including the revelation that investigators had fabricated evidence, including five pieces of blood-stained clothing Hakamada allegedly wore during the crime.
The ruling was finalized on October 9, 2024, officially ending Hakamada’s long struggle for justice and confirming his status as the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner.
Acknowledgment of Justice System Failures
Tsuda’s visit and apology signify a significant acknowledgment of the failings of the justice system. As he met with Hakamada, he also extended apologies to the grandson of two of the murder victims, recognizing the police’s shortcomings in uncovering the truth behind this tragic case.
Watch the apology videos here:
Japanese police chief bows to apologise to man who was acquitted after nearly 60 years on death row
byu/New_Libran inDamnthatsinteresting
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