In a recent landmark decision, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan has once again raised its voice in support of abolishing the death penalty. This call comes following the acquittal of Iwao Hakamada, the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, by the Shizuoka District Court.
Archbishop Tarcisio Kikuchi Isao of Tokyo, the President of the Japanese Bishops’ Conference, emphasized the importance of reevaluating the death penalty in light of Hakamada’s case. The 88-year-old was wrongly convicted in 1968 for a crime he did not commit and spent over five decades on death row before being declared innocent.
The acquittal of Hakamada has reignited the debate on capital punishment in Japan, a country where the death penalty is still actively used. Archbishop Kikuchi highlighted the irreversible nature of the death penalty, emphasizing that once a life is taken, it cannot be restored, even if the person is later found innocent.
The case of Hakamada has not only drawn international attention to flaws in Japan’s justice system but has also raised concerns about the reliability of confessions obtained through lengthy interrogations in capital cases. Despite broad public support for the death penalty in Japan, Hakamada’s exoneration has prompted soul-searching and calls for reform.
As Archbishop Kikuchi stated, it is crucial for Japanese society to consider the human dignity of every individual and the potential for wrongful convictions when discussing the death penalty. The Church stands firm in its mission to protect human dignity and calls for a more compassionate and just legal system that values the sanctity of life.
Let us continue to pray for Hakamada’s well-being and for all those who are affected by the harsh realities of the death penalty. May we strive towards a society that upholds justice, mercy, and the inherent worth of every human being.
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