The Japan Innocence and Death Penalty Information Center  (jiadep.org)

日本冤罪・死刑情報センター


LIST OF DEFENDANTS WHO ARE UNDER 

 SENTENCE OF DEATH IN JAPAN



~~~~~~



Jurisdiction

CURRENT Number OF PEOPLE

 SENTENCED TO DEATH

Statistics

Originally sentenced 

to life imprisonment


SUPREME

 COURT


111


women = 7


minor at time of crime = 5


non-Japanese = 6 (all men)

 (Chinese=5  Malaysian=1)


Longest Incarceration= 54 years


Confirmed by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations Human Rights Committee as a Manifest Miscarriage of Justice = 3  


More 


Ages:

90+ years  = 1

80+ years = 3

70~79  years = 12


11

HIGH COURT

(below)


4


women= 1

non-Japanese= 0

minor at time of crime  = 0


0

DISTRICT COURTS

(below)


5


women= 0

minor at time of crime = 0


X



TOTALS


120


women = 8

non-japanese= 6

minor at time of crime = 5


11




DEATH ROW: SUPREME COURT CONFIRMED SENTENCES

List of inmates whose sentences have been finalized by the Supreme Court. They are subject to strict confinement while awaiting execution. Most have applied for retrial. Since 1945, only 4 confirmed sentences have been overturned. Also salient is the high number of sentences which were raised to death from life imprisonment upon appeal of the prosecution. Of these, two-- Watanabe Kiyoshi and Kanekawa Hajime-- would most likely have  been released upon serving 20 years.



Name (Last/First) 

 F=female

Place of Detention

Chronology:

 Dates & Court

/////////////////

Retrial Status


Case Name

Date of Incident


Accused's D.O.B.

(if known)


Notes

Oda Nobuo 尾田信夫

b. 1946  age: 74



 Fukuoka

1970/11/12 S.C.

1970/03/20 Fukuoka H.C

1968/12/24 Fukuoka D.C.

///////////////////////

1998/10/29 Supreme Court (Request for retrial denied.)

マルヨ無線事件

Maruyo Musen Case

(Murder/Arson/Robbery


Kawabata-Cho Case 川端町事件

1966/12/05


 Aged 20 at time of crime. 

Denies the charges of arson as a cause of death. In its 1998 decision, the S.C. notesd that part of the charges may be appealed. 


Confirmed as a miscarriage of justice by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.  ( More )


Ohama Shosan 

大濱松三

born 1928 age=91

Tokyo

1977/04/16 Withdraws appeal


1975/10/20 Yokohama DC Odawara Branch


Piano Noise 

Murder Case

1974/08/28

ピアノ騒音殺人事件




Mental competence is in dispute. Psychiatrist suggested a lesser sentence. Defendant withdrew appeal and death sentence was finalized.


Hakamada Iwao 

袴田巌 

b. 1936  age= 83

Tokyo

Paroled 2014/March

~~~~~

1980/11/19 SC

1976/05/18 Tokyo HC 

1968/09/11 Shizuoka DC


Hakamada Case

袴田事件

Stabbing murder of a family of four & arson

1966/06/30




Insists on innocence. Cause celebre among wrongful arrests in Japan. Former ranked professional boxer. Strongly supported by many groups, and the subject of many  publications and documentaries. Listed in the Guiness Book of World Records.

Confirmed as a miscarriage of justice by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.  ( More )


Supported by Amnesty International.



Masunaga Toshiaki 

益永利明   

b. 1948/06/01

age=71

Tokyo



2006/11/25 Retrial Rejected

 (Tokyo DC)

///////////

1987/03/24 SC

1982/10/29 Tokyo HC

1979/11/12 Tokyo DC.



Various Building Bombings

連続企業爆発事件

1971/12--75/05






Original family name was Kataoka. Insists the charge of "complicity" is supra-judicial and wants to be extradited abroad. Has support newsletter entitled "Gomashio Tsushin."  

Codefendant with M. Daidoji who died in prison in 2017. 


Watanabe Kiyoshi

 渡辺清 

b. 1948/03/17 

age =72

Osaka

1988/06/02 SC

1978/05/30 Osaka HC Death

1975/08/29 Osaka DC  L I.


Four Murders

4件殺人事件

1967/04/24--73/03



Originally sentenced to life Imprisonment. Death sentence imposed on appeal.


Minor: Age 19 at time of first offense.


 Refutes two of the charges.  Has filed fifth request for retrial.


Fujii Masayasu 

藤井政安 

b. 1942/02/23

age 78

Tokyo

1989/10/13 SC

1982/07/01 Tokyo HC

1977/03/31 Tokyo DC


Koroshiya Multiple Murders

「殺し屋」連続

殺人事件


1970/10--73/04






Original family name was Sekiguchi.  Retrial request underway.



Kanekawa Hajime 

金川一 

b. 1950/07/07

age=69

 Fukuoka

1990/04/03 SC

1983/03/17 Fukuoka HC Death

1982/06/14 Kumamoto DC Hachiyo Branch Life Imprisonment

Retrial request underway


Housewife Murder 

主婦殺人事件

1979/09/11




Originally sentenced to life Imprisonment. Death sentence imposed on appeal.


Denies the charges. Has support association and personal publication entitled "Tanabata Newsletter." Was convicted of murder in 1969 and released from prison in 1979. This  case occurred three months later and lacks any direct evidence. Defendant Insists he is a scapegoat and not the perpetrator.


Supported by Amnesty International.


Sasaki Tetsuya

 佐々木哲也 

b. 1953

Tokyo

1992/01/31 SC

1986/08/29 Tokyo HC

1984/03/15 Chiba DC


Parent Killing Case

両親殺人事件

1974/10/30



Insists upon innocence. Publishes a support newsletter: "Itsuka jiketo no shita de." Retrial request underway.


Supported by Amnesty International.


Sakaguchi Hiroshi

 坂口弘

b. 1946/11/12

age= 73

  Tokyo


2012/06/27 Retrial Rejected SC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1993/02/19 SC

1986/09/26 Tokyo HC

1982/06/18 Tokyo DC



Red Army Activities

連合赤軍事件

1971--72/02




Considers the charge of complicity to be extra-judicial and has requested extradition abroad. Author of "Asama Sanso 1972," and other works. ( More )





Ohmori Katsuhisa 

大森勝久 

b. 1949 age=70

Sapporo


2007/03/19 Retrial Rejected

Sapporo DC

///////////

1994/07/15 SC

1988/01/21 Sapporo HC

1983/03/29 Sapporo DC


Hokkaido Govt Building  Bombing 

北海道庁爆破事件

1976/03/02



Insists upon innocence.

[ More ]



Supported by Amnesty International.


Inokuma Takeo

 猪熊武夫

b. 1949.07.02

age=70

Tokyo

1995/06/08 SC

1988/12/15 Tokyo HC

1987/07/06 Tokyo DC


Lake Yamanaka Multiple Murders 

山中湖連続殺人事件

1984/10/11&25





Yamano Seijiro

山野静二郎

b. 1938/07/13

age=81

Osaka

1996/10/ 25 SC

1989/10/11 Osaka HC

1985/07/22 Osaka DC 


Retrial request underway


Real Estate Co. Multiple Murders

不動産会社

連続殺人事件

1982.03



Insists both deaths were made in self-defense. Has English and French support sites.


Author of two books "Prayer from Death Row" and "Scream from Death Row." Has support newsletter entitled "Olive Tsushin" 


Ogoshi Hideaki 

大越英明

b. 1942/03/10 

age: 78

(Original family name was Akiyoshi.)

Fukuoka

1997/09/11 SC

1991/12/09 Fukuoka HC

1985/05/31 Fukuoka DC (Izuka Branch)




Common Law Wife's Family Quadruple Murder

内妻一家4人

殺人事件

1976/06/13



Insists that his common law wife murdered three of the victims. Book about the case's disparities include "Akiyoshi Jiken." Retrial request underway


Kamimiya Masaharu 

神宮雅晴

age=76

(Previous family name was Hirota.)

Osaka

1997/12/19 SC

1993/04/30 Osaka HC

1988/10/ 25 Osaka DC 



Robbery/Murder of an ex-police officer

元警官強盗殺人事件

1984.09.04



Insists on innocence. Retrial request underway


Fujinami Tomoko (F)

 藤波知子

b. 1945 age = 74

(Previous family name was Miyazaki.)

Nagoya

2007/03/24 Toyama DC

Retrial Request Dismissed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1998/09/04 SC

1992/03/31  Nagoya HC

1988/02/09 Toyama DC


Toyama Nagano Double Women Murder

富山長野2女性

殺人事件

1980.02.23 & 1980.03.06



A male accomplice first admitted guilt but later recanted, and was found not guilty. Insists the real culprit is someone else. 




Shibasaki Masakazu

柴嵜正一

Tokyo

1998/09/04 SC

1992/03/31 Nagoya HC

1988/02/09 Toyama DC


Nakamurabashi Police Officer Double Murder

中村橋派出所2警官

殺人事件

1989/05/16



Retrial request underway


Muramatsu Sei-ichiro

 村松誠一郎

b. 1956/05/17

Tokyo

1998/10/08 SC

1992/06/29 Tokyo HC

1985/09/26 Urawa DC


Miyadai Case & others

宮代事件等

1980/03/21


Insists upon innocence in the Miyadai Case. Retrial request underway.


Supported by Amnesty International.


Matsumoto Misao 

松本美佐雄

b. 1965/02/20 

Tokyo

1998/12/01 SC

1994/09/29 Tokyo HC

1993/08/24 Maebashi DC (Takasaki Branch)


Two Murders & Injuries Resulting in  Death

2人殺人1人傷害致死

死体遺棄事件

1990.12/91.07






Takada Kazusaburo 

高田和三郎

born 1932 age = 87

Tokyo

1999/02/25 SC

1994/09/14 Tokyo HC

1986/03/28 Urawa DC


Three Friend Murder Case

友人3人殺人事件

1972/02--1974/02




Insists the real murderer is someone else. Filed for a third retrial in August, 2014.


Matsumoto Kenji 

松本健次

age=68

Osaka

2000/04/04 SC

1996/02/21 Osaka HC

1993/09/17 Otsu DC


Double Murder & Robbery Case

2件強盗殺人事件

1990.09.19

& 1991.09




Was born with Minamata disease and is mentally retarded. His brother, assumed to be the main criminal, later committed suicide. Request for retrial filed.


Chen Daiwei

陳代偉

Tokyo



2002/06/11 SC

1998/01/29 Tokyo HC

1995/12/15 Tokyo DC








Pachinko Shop Robbery Murder Case

パチンコ店強盗

殺人事件

1992/05/30




Chinese citizen. First non-permanent resident sentenced to death in post war period. Alleges the ringleader escaped overseas. Claims torture lead to confession and that interpretation was insufficient. Has newsletter "Ichijoh no Hikari."


He Li

Identical to Chen above

Co-defendant with Chen above.


Yokota Kenji

横田謙二

Tokyo


2002/10/05 Withdraws Appeal

2002/09/30 Tokyo HC: Death

2001/06/28 Saitama DC Life Imprisonment


Female Acquaintance Murders

知人女性殺人事件

1999/01/09

age= 70


Originally sentenced to life Imprisonment. Death sentence imposed on appeal. Crime committed while on parole from a life sentence. Sentence confirmed after appeal is abandoned by defendant.


Won I-san (Malaysian)

黄奕善

Tokyo

2004/04/19 SC

1998/03/26 Tokyo HC

1996/07/19 Tokyo DC


Double Robbery & Murder Case

連続強盗殺人事件

1993/10/27 

1993/12.20


Malaysian Citizen. Assumed ringleader and alleged accomplice Yamashita is appealing to Supreme Court. Denies complicity in murder and robbery. Medical treatment during trial was problematic.


Kurayoshi Masataka

倉吉政隆

Fukuoka

2004/12/02 SC

2000/06/29 Fukuoka HC

1999/03/25 Fukuoka DC


Man and Woman Double Murder 

男女殺人事件

1995/04




Morimoto Nobuyuki

森本信之

(Previous name was Sawamoto.)

Nagoya

2004/12/14 SC

2001/05/14 Nagoya HC

2000/03/01 Tsu DC


Filipina Double Murder Case

フィリピン2人

女性殺人事件

1998/12


Of the two accomplices, one died during proceedings, the other's sentence was reduced to life by the high court.


Manaka Hiromi

間中博巳

Tokyo

2005/01/27 SC

2001/05/01 Tokyo DC

1994/07/06 Miyabe DC



Classmate Double Murders

同級生2人殺人事件

1989/08--09




Takanezawa Tomoaki

高根沢智明

Tokyo

2006/06/06 SC

2005/07/13 Appeal Dropped

2004/03/26 Saitama DC


Gumma Pachinko Parlor Double Murder

群馬パチンコ店人

殺人事件

2003/02/04


Sentence finalized after defendant abandoned appeal.


2006/06/06 Attorney's special protest overruled.


Shimoyama Shinichi

下山信一

(Original name was Matsuzawa)

Tokyo

2005/09/16 SC

2001/05/30 Tokyo HC

1998/05/26 Tokyo DC


Financial Co. Triple Murders

金融業者ら3人

殺人事件

1993/10/12



Codefendant with Won I-san above. Insists the crime was not planned. 


Horie Yoshio

堀江守男

Sendai

2005/09/26 SC

2005/09/26 Sendai DC

1991/03/29 Sendai HC



Elderly Couple Murder Case

老夫婦殺人事件

1986/02/20

Defendant's psychological condition is in dispute


Ueda Yoshinori

上田宜範

Osaka

2005/12/15 SC

2001/03/15 Osaka HC

1998/03/20 Osaka DC




Osaka Dog Lover's Multiple Murder Case (x5)

大阪愛犬家

連続殺人事件

1992〜93


Maintains innocence. Insists confessions were the result of police violence. Filed for retrial in 2011.


Tanaka Atsuhiko

田中 敦彦

Previous name was Hisahori

Osaka

2006/02/14 SC

2001/12/25 Osaka HC 

2000/03/16 Osaka DC L.I.


Murder of 2 Right Wing Leaders

右翼幹部ら2人

殺人事件

1992/02 ~94/04

Originally sentenced to life Imprisonment. Death sentence imposed on appeal. Filed for retrial in 2013.




Yamaguchi Morio

 山口益生

Nagoya

2006/02/24 SC: Death

2001/06/14 Nagoya HC:  Death

1999/06/23 Tsu DC Life Imp

1997/09/25 Nagoya HC: Death entence overturned, case is remanded to DC

1997/03/28 Tsu DC Death (Yokkaichi Branch)


Murder of an accomplice in one heist, murder of an antique art dealer in another.


古美術商ら2人

殺人事件 

1994/03--95/03

Death sentence overturned by high court, later reinstated. 

Accomplice died of illness during the trial.




Mukai Masami

豊田 義己

b. 1943 Age=77

(Previous name was Toyoda)

Nagoya

2006/03/02 SC

2002/02/28 Nagoya HC

2000/07/19 Nagoya DC


Murder of 2 Women in Shizuoka & Aichi Areas

静岡、愛知2女性殺人事件

1996.08~97.09



Denies the Shizuoka Case. Claims confession made after police violence.


[ More ]


Takahashi Kazutoshi

高橋和利

b. 1935  Age=85

Tokyo

2006/03/28 SC

2002/10/30 Tokyo HC

1995/09/07 Yokohama DC


Tsurumi Case

鶴見事件

1988/06/20


Admits to burglary, denies the murders. Case based on circumstantial evidence and coerced confession. Has support association and publications. Several books written about the case.

[ More ]


Confirmed as a miscarriage of justice by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.  ( More )


Eto Tsune

江東恒 

b. 1942/07/21

age = 79

Osaka

2006/09/07 SC

2003/01/02  Osaka HC

2001/03/22  Osaka DC Sakai Branch


Sakai Husband Wife Murder Case

堺夫婦殺人事件

1997/10/30





Ishikawa Keiko(F)

石川恵子

b. 1959

Fukuoka

2006/09/21 SC

2003/03/27  Fukuoka HC Miyazaki Branch

2001/06/20  Miyazaki DC


Miyazaki Double

Women Murder

宮崎2女性

殺人事件

1996/08 & 97/06

Denies the charges, has plead innocent.


Naga Katsuhisa

長勝久

Tokyo


2006/10/12 SC

2003/09/10  Tokyo HC

2001/12/18 Utsunomiya DC


Tochigi Wife & Acquaintance Murder

栃木・妻と知人殺人事件

1988~89

Denies the charges, has plead innocent. Has filed a third appeal in 2011.


Takahashi Yoshihiro

高橋義博

born 1944 age=75

Tokyo

2006/10/26  SC

2003/04/15 Tokyo HC

2000/08/29 Yokohama DC


Doctor Murder (x2) & Robbery Case

医師ら2人

強盗殺人事件

1992/07


 

Admits the robbery, adamantly denies the murder charges.



Matsumoto Kazuhiro

松本和弘

Nagoya

2007/01/30 SC

2003/07/08 Nagoya HC

2002/01/30 Nagoya DC Ichinomiya Branch


Manila Murder for Insurance & Nagano Murder Case

マニラ連続保険金殺人・長野殺人事件

1994~96



Co-defendant and twin brother Akihiro died in January, 2016. Third codefendant Shimoura Eichi is listed below.


Shimoura Eiichi

下浦栄一

Nagoya

2007/01/30 SC

2003/07/08  Nagoya HC

2002/01/30  Nagoya DC


Manila Murder for Insurance & Nagano Murder Case

マニラ連続保険金

殺人・長野殺人事件

1994~96

Same as above.



Nishiyama Shouzou

西山省三   

b. 1953     

Hiroshima 

2007/04/10 SC

2004/04/23 Hiroshima HC Death

1999/12/10 SC Grants prosecutors appeal, remands to HC

1997/02/04 Hiroshima HC LI

1994/09/30 Hiroshima DC LI


Murder of an Elderly Woman

老女殺人事件

1992/03/29


Originally sentenced to life Imprisonment. Death sentence imposed on appeal.


Crime committed while on parole from life imprisonment. Death sentence imposed after  prosecutorial appeal to the Supreme Court. Only the second postwar case of the SC imposing a sentence of death from L.I.


Awarded $60,000 in 2012: Jail staff refused to let lawyers speak in private.

[ More ]



Zohta  Hiroshi

造田博

b. 1978

Tokyo

2007/04/19 SC

2003/09/29  Tokyo HC

2002/01/18  Tokyo DC


Tokyo/Ikebukuro Random Murder Case

東京・池袋「通り魔」殺傷事件

1999/09/08


Two people were killed and six injured in an unplanned random murder. Defense claims insanity.


Nakahara Sumio

中原澄夫

b. 1947 age=72

Fukuoka

2007/06/12 SC

2005/04/12  Fukuoka HC

2003/05/01  Fukuoka DC


Yakuza Dispute Multiple Murders

暴力団抗争連続殺人事件

1997/10/06~10/13


Charged with ordering others to commit two murders. Denies the charges. 

[ More ]


Xue Song

 松

b. 1974

(Jap: Setsu Shou)

Tokyo

2007/06/20 SC

2004/01/23  Tokyo HC

2002/02/22  Tokyo DC


Kasugabe Chinese

Couple Murder

春日部中国人夫婦

殺人事件

2000/09/22


Chinese national. Insists mistakes made at trial and that sentence is unjust.

[ More ]

Hamakawa Kunihiko

浜川邦彦

b. 1960

Nagoya

2007/07/05 SC

2004/03/22  Nagoya HC

2002/12/18  Tsu DC

Mie Double Shooting Case

三重男性2人射殺事件

1994/07 & 1994/11



Denies the charges. Co-defendant received life sentence (prosecution demanded death.)


[ More ]


Gotou Ryouji

後藤良次

Tokyo

2007/09/28 SC

2004/07/06 Tokyo HC

2003/02/24  Utsunomiya DC


Utsunomiya Miyabe Murders

宇都宮水戸殺人事件

2000/07/30~08/20

( More )


Hokao Kazuo

外尾 計夫 

b. 1947 age 73

Fukuoka

2008/01/31 SC

2004/05/21  Fukuoka HC

2003/01/31  Nagasaki DC


Father & Child Murder for Insurance Case


父子保険金殺人事件

1992/09/11

1998/10/27

Codefendant (wife and mother of victims) was sentenced to death in first trial, later reduced to life imprisonment by the high court. 


[ More ]


Hasegawa Shizuo 

長谷川静央

b. 1942  age 77

Tokyo

2008/03/17 SC 

2007/08/16 Tokyo HC

2007/01/23 Utsunomiya DC


 Younger Brother Murder for Hire 

宇都宮実弟殺害事件

2005/05/08


Accused of paying a hitman to kill his younger brother while on parole from L.I.  

 

[ More ]


Kaga Toshiaki 

加賀聖商

Tokyo

2008/06/05 SC

2005/07/19 Tokyo HC

2004/02/04 Yokohama DC


Kanagawa Mother-Daughter Murder

神奈川母子殺人事件

2001/08/04


b. 1961/04/30


[ More ]


Yagi Shigeru

八木茂

born 1952 age=68

Tokyo

2008/07/17 SC

2005/01/13  Tokyo HC

2002/10/01  Saitama DC


Saitama Insurance Murders(x2) & Attempted Murder

1) 埼玉保険金 殺人(2件)

2) 同未遂事件(1件)

1995/06/03 &

1999/05/29


Insists upon innocence. Authored a book about the case entitled "Itsuwari no Kioku (Memory of a Lie.)" Three female accomplices received sentences of 12 years to life. ( More )


Hayashi Masumi (F)

林真須美

b. 61/07/22


Osaka

2009/04/21 SC

2005/06/28  Osaka HC

2002/12/11 Wakayama DC


Wakayama Curry Case Murders (x4)

1998/07/25 etc



Insists upon innocence. No direct evidence. Has support association and publishes a newsletter entitled "Aosora Tsuushin."


Read Hayashi's letter to Michael Fox [ Read ]




Kazama Hiroko(F) 

風間博子

Tokyo

2009/06/05 SC

2005/07/11  Tokyo HC

2001/03/21  Urawa DC


Saitama Dog Lover's Multiple (x4) Murders Case


埼玉愛犬家連続殺人事件


1993



Codefendant with Sekine Hajime who was sentenced to death and later died in prison. Denies participation in the murder.


Onokawa Mitsunori

 小野川光紀

Tokyo

2009/06/09 SC

2006/09/29 Tokyo DC

2004/03/26 Saitama DC


Pachinko Parlor Multiple Murders

2003/02/23~04/01

パチンコ店員連続

殺人事件

Codefendant with Takanezawa Tomoaki (above).

Takahashi Suguru

高橋秀 

(Previous name was Ishikawa)


Sendai

2009/06/23 SC

2005/07/26 Sendai HC

2004/03/25 Sendai DC

賃金業者ら2人

殺人事件

Money Lending Double Murders

2001/01/09~ 02/03



Kohinata Masato

小日向将人

Tokyo

2009/ 07/10   SC

2006/03/16 Tokyo HC

2005/03/28 Maebashi DC


前橋スナック乱射事件

Maebashi Night Club Shooting Case

2003/01/25

 [ More ] 

Kubota Yuji

窪田勇次 

Sapporo

2009/12/04 SC

2005/12/01 HC

2004/03/02 DC


Hokkaido Kitami City Double Elderly Murder

北海道北見市の資産家夫婦殺害事件

1988/Oct


age = 74



Suga Mineo

菅峰男

Fukuoka

2009/12/11  SC

2006/05/24 Fukuoka HC

2004/03/11 Fukuoka DC



Fukuoka Shohnai Multiple Murders

福岡庄内連続殺人事件

1996/06/08~11/19


b. 1951 age=68



Ohashi Kenji

大橋健治

Osaka

2010/01/29 SC

2007/04/27 Osaka HC

2006/11/02 Osaka DC



Double Women Robbery Murders

2005/04~05


b. 1941  age = 78

Aged 64 at time of the crime.


Takao Yasushi 

高尾康司

b. 1964

Tokyo

2010/09/16 SC

2006/09/28 Tokyo HC

2005/02/21 Chiba DC



Tateyama City Arson Murders (x4)

千葉館山連続放火事件

 2003/12/18




Fujisaki Soji

藤崎宗司

b. 1961

Tokyo

2010/10/14 SC

2006/12/22 Tokyo HC

2005/12/22 Mito DC



Elderly Women Strangulations(x2)


2005/01/21~28


Recognized as mentally disabled.

[More] 


Ozaki Masayoshi

尾崎政芳

(Previous name was Takemoto)


Fukuoka

2010/11/08 SC

2007/01/16 Fukuoka HC

2005/05/16 Fukuoka DC Kokura Branch








Kaedama Insurance Murders

替え玉保険金等

殺人事件

2002/01/08~31



( More )


Hara Tadashi 

原正志

(Previous name was Takemoto)

b. 57/08/12


Fukuoka

2010/11/08 SC

2007/01/16 Fukuoka HC

2005/05/16 Fukuoka DC Kokura Branch



Kobayashi Masato

小林正人

Nagoya

2011/03/10 SC 

2005/07/26 Nagoya HC

2001/07/09 Nagoya DC


Multiple Murders (x4) by Gang of 3 Youths

少年による連続

リンチ殺人事件

1994/Sept~Oct.


Minor at time of crime.


Death was demanded for all three youths, and two were sentenced to life imprisonment by district courts, later raised to death by the high courts. [ More ] 

Haga Masayoshi

芳我匡由

Nagoya

2011/03/10 SC 

2005/07/26 Nagoya HC

2001/07/09 Nagoya DC L. I.


Minor at time of crime.


Same as Kobayshi above. Originally sentenced to life imprisonment. Death sentence was imposed upon appeal.  [ More ] 

Kurosawa Atsushi

黒澤敦

(Previous name was Komori)


2011/03/10 SC Nagoya

2005/07/26 Nagoya HC

2001/07/09 Nagoya DC L. I.


Minor at time of crime.

Same as Kobayshi above. Originally sentenced to life imprisonment. Death sentence was imposed upon appeal. [ More ] 


Kobayashi Ryuji

小林竜司

b. 1984/12/12


2011/03/25 SC

2008/05/20 Osaka HC

2007/05/22 Osaka DC



Okayama College Student Murders (x2)

2006/06




Aged 21 at time of crime. Willingly confessed and turned himself into police before arrest. High Court decision issued with irregular speed. 

[ More ]


Okura Osamu

大倉修

(Previous name was Taki)


2011/04/11 SC

2008/03/25 Tokyo DC

2007/02/26 Shizuoka DC



Colleague & wife double murders

2004/09  '05/09




Fuchigami Yukiharu

渕上幸春

b. 1969/01/23


2011/04/19 SC

2007/01/23 Miyazaki HC

2003/05/26 Miyazaki DC




Miyazaki Multiple Murder Case

宮崎連続殺人事件

1999/03/25~09/20




Claims innocence in one case, and misajudication of facts in the other. Suffers from advanced muscular dystrophy.

( More )


Oyama Kiyotaka

大山清隆


2011/06/07 SC

2007/10/16 Hiroshima HC

2005/04/27 Hiroshima DC


WifeFather in Law 

Double Murder for Insurance Case

広島義父妻保険金等

殺人事件

1998/10/11~2000/03/02

( More )


Ikeda Hiroyuki

池田容

b. 1978

2011/06/16 SC

2010/11/16 Yokohama DC



Chiba Double Male Murder

2009


First death sentence handed down by mixed jury system (Saibanin) and first sentenced to be confirmed by the SC. ( More )


Sentence is confirmed upon abandonment of appeal by defendant.


Kitamura Mami (F)

北村真美

b. 1959



2011/10/03 SC

2007/12/25 Fukuoka HC

2006/10/17 Fukuoka DC Kurume Branch



Ohmuta Quadruple Murders

大牟田4人殺人事件

2004/09/18




Entire family of four sentenced to death. Husband and elder son sentenced on 2007/02/27.


[ More ]


Inoue Takahiro

Previous family name was Kitamura

北村孝紘

b. 1984



2011/10/03 SC

2007/12/25 Fukuoka HC

2006/10/17 Fukuoka DC Kurume Branch



Ohmuta Quadruple Murders

大牟田4人殺人事件

2004/09/18



Entire family of four sentenced to death. Son of Kitamura Mami.

[ More ]


Kitamura Jitsuo

北村実雄

b. 1945 age= 74

2011/10/17 SC

2008/03/27 Fukuoka HC

2007/02/27 Fukuoka DC

(Kurume Branch)



Ohmuta Quadruple Murders

大牟田4人殺人事件

2004/09/18

Entire family of four sentenced to death. [ More ]


Kitamura Takashi

北村孝

b. 1982

2011/10/17 SC

2008/03/27 Fukuoka HC

2007/02/27 Fukuoka DC

(Kurume Branch)



Ohmuta Quadruple Murders

大牟田4人殺人事件

2004/09/18


Entire family of four sentenced to death. Denies the charges of murder.


Morita Katsumi

守田克実

b. 1950 age = 69


2011/11/22 SC

2008/03/03 Tokyo HC

2006/12/19 Chiba DC




Mabuchi Motor Murders& others.

マブチモーター殺人放火事件等

2002/08~11



[ More ]


Kaneiwa Yukio 

兼岩幸男

b. 1957


2011/11/30 SC

2007/02/23 Gifu DC




Aichi Double Womens' Murder

 and Dismemberment Case


愛知・2女性殺害遺棄事件

1999/08 & '03/05


Claims the police investigation and interrogation were illegal.

( More )

Matsunaga Futoshi

松永太

b. 1961


2011/12/12 SC 

2007/09/26 Fukuoka HC

2005/09/28 Fukuoka DC



KitaKyushu Multiple Murders (x6)

北九州市の監禁・連続殺人事件

1996/02/28 ~ 98/06/07

( More )

Fukuda Takayuki

福田孝行

(Previous Name was Otsuki)


Hiroshima

2012/01/16 SC Death

2008/04/22 Hiroshima HC Death

2006/06/20 SC (Remanded)

2002/03/14 Hiroshima HC L.I.

2000/03/22 Yamaguchi DC L.I.


Hikari City Mother Daughter Murder

光市母子殺人事件

1999/04/14

Original name was Otsuki.  Youngest person to be sentenced to death in modern history- aged 18 and one month at time of crime. Suffered domestic violence through childhood.   Twice sentenced to life imprisonment.        [ More ]


Later Legal Actions:


2019/11/08 Objection Rejected HIroshima HC.


2015/Oct Retrial Appeal Rejected (Hiroshima HC). Defense lodges objection. 


Iwamori Minoru

岩森稔

b. 1945 age =74


2012/03/03 SC 

2009/03/25 Tokyo DC

2007/Feb Saitama DC L.I.


Older Couple Robbery Murder

2007/02/21




Originally sentenced to life imprisoment. Death sentence imposed upon appeal.

[ More ]


Xie Yidi

謝依俤

b. 1977

2012/10/19 SC

2008/10/09 Tokyo DC

2006/10/02 Tokyo DC



Hayakawa Family Robbery Murders

早川夫妻強盗殺人事件

2002/08/13




Defendant is a Chinese national. 

(Family name is pronounced "Shey")


[ More ]

Nozaki Hiroshi 

野崎浩

POD: Tokyo


2012/12/14 SC

2010/10/08 Tokyo HC

2009/12/17 Tokyo DC L.I.

Murder of Philipine Women (x2)

フィリピン女性を殺害事件

1999/2008


Originally sentenced to life Imprisonment. Death sentence imposed on appeal.   ( More )

Watanabe Junichi

渡辺純一

b. 1976

2013/01/29 SC

2009/03/19 Tokyo HC

previously L.I.

Billing Fraud Ring Murders (x4)

2004/10

2004/10/13~16

Originally sentenced to life imprisoment. Death sentence imposed upon appeal. Codefendant with Shimizu Taishi and Ito Reo

{ More }

Shimizu Taishi

清水大志

b. 1980


2013/01/29 SC

2009/05/12 Tokyo HC

2007/08/07 Chiba DC



Billing Fraud Ring Murders (x4)

2004/10



18 people charged. 2 accomplices received life imprisonment though death was demanded. Co-defendant with Ito Reo and Watanabe Junichi.

( More )



Ito Reo

伊藤玲雄

b. 1975


2013/02/28 SC

2009/08/28 Tokyo HC

2007/05/21 Chiba DC



Billing Fraud Ring Confinement

 and Murders (x3)

2004/10.

18 people charged. 3 accomplices received life imprisonment though death was demanded. Shimizu Taishi (below) is co-defendant. [ More ]

Yamada Kenichiro

山田健一郎

b. 1966


2013/06/07 SC

2009/09/10 Tokyo HC

2008/01/21 Maebashi DC



Maebashi Shootings

前橋銃乱射事件等

 2003/Jan25 (x4)



Third person sentenced for this crime. Denies part of the charges. Has made financial reparation to two of the victims. ( More )

Takayanagi Kazuya

高柳和也

b. 1966


2013/11/25 SC

2011/10/15 Osaka HC

2009/03/17 Kobe DC Himeji Branch


Murder and Dismemberment of 2 Women

2005 January 9

( More )


Ogawa Kazuhiro

小川和弘

b. 1961


2014/03/06 SC

2011/07/26  Osaka HC

2009/12/02  Osaka DC



Osaka Video Room Arson/Murder Case 

大阪個室ビデオ店放火殺人事件

(16 people died)

Insists the charges are bogus and the fire started from another room. Has strong support organization.    (More)


Confirmed as a miscarriage of justice by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.  ( More )


Koizumi Takeshi

小泉毅

b. 1962

2014/06/13 SC

2011/12/26 Tokyo HC

2010/03/30 Saitama DC


Civil Servant's Home Multiple Murders 

厚生事務次官宅連続襲撃事件

2008/Jan 17

Suffers from schizophrenia.  Claims the murders were vengeance against the government for the euthanzation of his childhood dog.


Matsubara Tomohiro

松原智浩

2014/09/02 SC

2012/03/22 Tokyo HC

2011/03/25 Nagano DC


Nagano  Family Murders (x3)

長野一家殺害事件

2010/March 24

Fifth death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. First case to be appealed. Three accomplices received lesser sentences.

Okumoto Akihiro

奥本章寛

2014/10/16 SC

2012/03/22 Fukuoka DC

2010/11/07 Miyazaki DC


Murder of wife, baby and mother in law.

2010/03/01

Third death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. ( More )

Kuwata Kazuya

桑田一也

b. 1967

2014/12/02 SC

2012/07/10 Tokyo H.C

2011/06/21 Shizuoka D.C. 


Double Women Murders

2005/October 

2010/Feb

Seventh death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

Kato Tomohiro

加藤智大

b. 1983

2015/02/02 SC

2012/09/12 Tokyo HC

2011/03/24 Tokyo DC


Akihabara Vehicular and Stabbing Rampage

Seven Deaths

2008/June 8

Mental competency is in dispute.  ( More )

Fujishiro Yasutaka

藤城康孝

b. 1957

2015/05/25 SC

2013/04/26 Osaka HC

2009/05/29 Kobe DC


Murder of 7 relatives

親類ら7人を刺殺

2004/08/02

Crime occurred in Kakogawa city.  Psychiatric report stated, "suffers from paranoid disorders and is unable to make rational decisions."

Arai Ryuta

新井竜太

2015/12/15 SC

2013/06/27 Tokyo HC

2012/02/24 Saitama DC



Saitama Murder/Insurance Fraud Case

2008/March

2009/August


13th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

Codefendant sentenced to life imprisonment.

Takami Sunao

高見素直

2016/02/23 SC

2013/07/31 Osaka HC

2011/10/31 Osaka DC

Osaka Pachinko Arson Murder Case ( x5 )

大阪パチンコ店放火

殺人事件


10th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. Case focussed on whether death by hanging violates the constitution's prohibition against "torture and cruel punishments."

Takahashi Akihiko

高橋明彦

(Previous family name was Yokukura

( 旧姓・横倉)

2016/03/08 SC

2014/06/03 Sendai HC

2013/03/14 Fukushima DC

Fukushima Family Murder (x2)

2012/July

16th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 



Ito Kazufumi

伊藤和史

b. 1979

2016/04/26 SC

2014/02/20 Tokyo HC

2011/12/27 Nagano DC


Nagano Family Murder (x3)

長野一家殺害事件

2010 March 24-25

12th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

Codefendant with Matsubara Tomohiro and Ikeda Kaoru (above).


Asayama Katsumi

浅山克己

b. 1967

2016/06/13 SC

2014/10/01 Tokyo HC

2013/06/11 Tokyo DC



Elderly Triple Murder/Arson Case

高齢者3人殺害・放火事件

2010~11


19th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


Chiba Yutaro

千葉 祐太郎

b. 1991/07/02

Sendai

2016/06/16 SC

2014/01/31 Sendai HC

2010/11/25 Sendai DC



Ishimaki Triple Murder

& Injury Case

石巻3人殺傷事件

2010/Feb 10

Minor at the time of crime. 

2nd death sentence handed down by mixed jurors, and the first given to a minor (less than 20 years at the time of the crime).

 

( More )

Tsutsui Gonta

筒井郷太

b. 1985


2016/07/21 SC

2014/06/24 Fukuoka HC

2013/06/14 Nagasaki DC


Nagasaki Stalker Double Murder

2011/12/16


17th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. Police have been heavily criticized for ignoring reports of stalking made previous to the murder.


( More )

Doi Kanae (F)

木嶋佳苗

b. 1975


2017/04/13 SC

2014/03/12 Tokyo HC

2012/04/13 Saitama DC

Sequential Suspicious Tokyo Murders (x3)

首都圏連続不審死事件

2009 Jan~August

14th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

Previous name was Kijima

(More)

Ueta Miyuki (F)

上田美由紀

b. 1974


2017/07/27 SC

2014/03/20 Hiroshima HC

2012/12/04 Tottori DC 


Murder/Robbery of Two Male Acquaintances

15th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


( More )

Suzuki Katsuaki

鈴木勝明

b. 1967


2017/12/18 SC

2014/12/19 Osaka HC

2013/06/26 Osaka DC



Elderly Couple Oil Drum Murder Case

ドラム缶詰め殺人事件

2004/12/03~04

Insists upon innocence.

18th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. Defendant was previously found guilty of stealing three watches and a car from the elderly couple. Robbery case was tried separately by a panel of judges. The bodies of the elderly couple were discovered in 2009.


Admits to disposing of the body, after being threatened by a third party. Police have admitted to losing hair and blood evidence.

Lin Shinka (Jenhwa)

林振華 

b. 1984


2018/10/06 SC

2015/10/14 Nagoya HC

2015/02/20 Nagoya DC


Aichi Kanie-cho Mother Son Murder (x2)

愛知県蟹江町母子殺傷事件

2009 May 1

Chinese national. 22nd death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


High court trial finished in one day! 


Watanabe Tsuyoshi

渡辺剛

b. 1969

2018/12/21 SC

2015/03/16 Tokyo HC

2014/09/19 Tokyo DC


Fund Manager Family Murder/Robbery (x2)

21st death sentence handed down by mixed jurors.


Nishiguchi Munehiro

西口宗宏

b. 1962


2018/02/12 SC

2016/09/14 Osaka HC

2014/03/10 Osaka DC



Osaka Double Murder/Robbery Case


20th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

Defendant admitted the crimes, but contested the punishment.  Defense challenged death by hanging as cruel and vicious punishment.


Yamada Koji

山田浩二

b. 1970


2019/05/18 SC

2018/12/18 Osaka DC



Neyagawa Middle School Murders (x2)

August 12-13 2015


31st death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


Sentence finalized after defendant abandoned appeal.

(More )

Homi Kousei

保見光成


2019/07/11 SC

2016/09/13 HIroshima HC

2015/07/28 Yamaguchi DC

Yamaguchi Elderly Murder/Arson Case (x5) 


b.  1950 age=70

23rd death sentence handed down by mixed jurors.

Aged 63 at time of crime. Mental competency is in dispute.

More


Hori Yoshitomo

堀慶末

2019/07/19 SC

2016/11/08 Nagoya HC

2015/12/15 Nagoya DC

Pachinko Owners Home Murder Case (x2)

Defendant was serving a sentence of life for a later crime at the time of conviction.

Uematsu Satoshi

植松聖

b. 1990


2020/03/16 Tokyo DC


Sagamihara Stabbing Rampage


(AKA Tsukui Yamayuri-en 

Care Facilty Case)


2016/07/26

34th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


Sentence finalized after defendant abandoned appeal.

19 people murdered and 25 injured at a facility for patients with mental disabilities.

Defendant's mental competency is in dispute.  ( More )

http://www.geocities.jp/hyouhakudanna/cplist.html


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


HIGH COURT SENTENCES


List of death sentences handed down by the high courts. 

All cases are being appealed to the Supreme Court. 


High Court Death Penalty Statistics


Total Defendants  = 4


Minors=0  (Less than 20 years old at time of crime)

Women = 1

Non-Japanese: = 0

Originally Sentenced to Life Imprisonment= 0

 (Sentences raised to death upon appeal of the prosecution).



Name (last/first)   

F=female


High Court Decision Date

District Court Decision Date


Case Name

Date of Incident





Notes

Fujishiro Yasutaka

藤城康孝

b. 1957

2013/04/26 Osaka HC

2009/05/29 Kobe DC


Murder of 7 relatives

親類ら7人を刺殺

2004/08/02

Crime occurred in Kakogawa city.  Psychiatric report stated, "suffers from paranoid disorders and is unable to make rational decisions."


( More )

Hida Hiroaki

肥田広明

b. 1953


2018/07/30  Tokyo HC

2016/11/24  Shizuoka DC

Itoh Double Murder-Robbery 

2012/12/18


Kawasaki Tatsuya

川崎竜弥

b. 1984 


2019/03/15 Tokyo DC

2018/02/23 Shizuoka DC

Lake Hamana Double Murder

28th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors.

( More )

Kakehi Chisako (F)

筧千佐子

b. 1947


2019/05/23 Osaka HC

2017/11/7 Kyoto DC

Triple Murder

(Husband and two common law partners)

27th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


70 years old at time of sentence. Suffers from dementia. High court denied a second psychiatric review.


More


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


DISTRICT COURT CONVICTIONS


List of defendants who have been sentenced to death by district courts (the court of first instance) in Japan.  

All have the right to appeal to the high courts (the court of second instance) and then to the Supreme Court. 


Present District Court Convictions



Total= 6

======


Women = 0

Minors = 0





Name (last/first) 

F=female

POD: Place of Detention

Decision Date  Jurisdiction

(DC=District Court)


Case Name

Date of Incident




Notes


Tsuchiya Kazuya

土屋和也 

b. 1989


2016/ 07/20 Maebashi DC


Maebashi Elderly Stabbing Murder Case ( x2) 

Nov~Dec 2014

25th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


Defendant, raised in children's home since age 4, suffers personality disorders.

( More )


Hirano Tatsuhiko

平野達彦

b. 1974


2017/03/22 Kobe DC


Awaji Island Multiple Stabbing Murder Case (x5)

March 9, 2015

26th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


Mental competency in dispute. Claims that government agents disturbed his brain with electro-magnetic radiation. Defense demanded lesser sentence based on diminished capacity.  ( More )


Iwama Toshihiko

岩間俊彦

b. 1977


2017/08/25 Kofu DC


Manila Double Murder for Insurance Case (x2)

Oct 2014 and Sep 2015


27th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

( More )

Crimes occurred in the Philippines. Japanese nationals can be tried locally for crimes committed overseas.


Imai Hayato

今井隼人

b. 1993


2018/03/21 Yokohama DC


Kawasaki Nursing Home Multiple Murders (x3)

Nov. 2014

(Arrested Feb 2015)

30th death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


( More )

Uemura Takashi

上村隆

b. 1967


2019/03/15 Kobe DC Himeji Branch


Western Japan Male Triple Murder

2010-11

32nd death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 


Two of the three bodies have yet to be found. Accomplice received a life sentence. ( More )


Nakata Mitsuru


2019/12/13 Fukuoka  DC

Fukuoka Family Murder (x3)

2017/06/05

33rd death sentence handed down by mixed jurors. 

Case based nearly completely on circumstantial evidendence ( More )