Two years pass since Japan’s last execution, amid calls for abolition

With more than two years having passed since Japan last conducted an execution, calls for the abolition of capital punishment in the country are growing again following the acquittal of former death row inmate Iwao Hakamata in a retrial.

At the end of October, there were a total of 107 inmates on death row in the country.

Under the country’s Penal Code, death sentences are carried out by hanging upon the order of the justice minister. The Code of Criminal Procedure states that the order should be issued within six months after the ruling is finalized, but this is interpreted as an advisory provision.