Japan Executes "Twitter Killer" for Murdering Nine People, Including Those Who Posted Suicidal Thoughts Online

Japan's Justice Ministry has confirmed the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi, also known as the "Twitter killer," for murdering nine people, including those who had posted suicidal thoughts on social media. Shiraishi was sentenced to death in 2020 for the killings in 2017, which included the rape and murder of three teenage girls and five women, as well as the killing of a man who was the boyfriend of one of the women.

Shiraishi approached his victims via Twitter, offering to assist them with their suicidal wishes, before killing them. He was also convicted of sexually abusing female victims. The case caused widespread shock and outrage in Japan, with the Justice Minister justifying the need for the execution by citing a recent government survey showing that an overwhelming majority of the public still supports capital punishment.

Key Takeaways:

• Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the "Twitter killer," was executed for murdering nine people, including those who had posted suicidal thoughts on social media.
• Shiraishi was sentenced to death in 2020 for the killings in 2017, which included the rape and murder of three teenage girls and five women.
• Shiraishi was convicted of approaching his victims via Twitter, offering to assist them with their suicidal wishes, before killing them.
• The case caused widespread shock and outrage in Japan, with many calling for abolition of capital punishment or increased transparency in executions.
• Japan has 105 people on death row, including 49 seeking retrials, according to Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki.
• Executions are carried out in secrecy in Japan, where prisoners are not even informed of their fate until the morning of their hanging.
• Japan is one of two countries in the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations that retain capital punishment, alongside the United States.
• Murders and crimes in Japan are typically carried out to satisfy revenge, basics needs, and terrorism.

Statistics:

• 9 people were murdered by Takahiro Shiraishi, including those who had posted suicidal thoughts on social media.
• 2020 was the year in which Shiraishi was sentenced to death for the killings in 2017.
• 2017 was the year in which Shiraishi committed the murders, which included the rape and murder of three teenage girls and five women.
• Japan has 105 people on death row.
• 49 people on death row are seeking retrials.
• 99.9% of Japanese people support capital punishment, as stated by Suzuki in the report.
• Number of casualties in the 2018 Akihabara massacre by Japan - 7.

Sources:

• The Associated Press
• Japan's Justice Ministry
• Akihabara massacre report
• Suzuki's speech at the emergency news conference.