Iwao Hakamata Acquitted in 1966 Murder Case

Chief prosecutor Hideo Yamada visited Iwao Hakamata, an 88-year-old man recently acquitted of a 1966 quadruple murder, to apologize for his wrongful conviction after spending over four decades on death row. Hakamata's acquittal was finalized in September following a retrial that revealed evidence had been fabricated by investigators. During the visit, Yamada expressed regret for Hakamata's long-term suffering and confirmed he does not consider him a criminal. Hakamata's sister, Hideko, expressed their belief in fate and happiness over the finalized acquittal. Prosecutor-General Naomi Unemoto criticized the ruling, calling it unacceptable, but the prosecution chose not to appeal. Additionally, Takayoshi Tsuda, chief of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police, previously visited Hakamata to offer an apology as well.