Background of the Hakamada Case and the Possibility of Retrial
The Hakamada case involves a robbery and murder in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1966, in which Iwao Hakamada, a former professional boxer, was arrested and sentenced to death in 1968. Since then, Hakamada has continued to claim his innocence and filed for a retrial. After 58 years, the retrial was finally granted, and the verdict is scheduled to be delivered on September 26. One of the key reasons for the retrial being granted is the testimonies of former judges involved in the case.
Conflict Faced by the Judge Who Issued the Death Sentence
One of the judges who sentenced Hakamada to death in 1968, Norimichi Kumamoto, later confessed that he strongly felt there was a possibility of Hakamada’s innocence. Kumamoto revealed that he had argued in favor of declaring Hakamada innocent during the deliberations with other judges, but the decision was ultimately made by majority vote to issue the death sentence. As a result, Kumamoto spent the rest of his life regretting the decision, often saying, “I did a terrible thing to Hakamada.”
Kumamoto particularly questioned the harsh police interrogation methods used at the time. In a non-air-conditioned room during the height of summer, Hakamada was subjected to questioning for over 12 hours a day, eventually leading to a “confession” after 20 days. The judge even added a “supplementary note” to the judgment, stating, “The investigative methods in this case must be severely criticized and reviewed. We sincerely hope that such a situation will never be repeated,” leaving a message for future judges.
Testimonies from Judges Who Did Not Support the Retrial
In the 1980s, when the retrial request was reviewed, Toshihiro Kumada, another judge at the Shizuoka District Court, also felt that there was a possibility of Hakamada’s innocence. Kumada raised doubts about new evidence, specifically “five pieces of clothing” found over a year after the incident. These bloodstained clothes were discovered near the scene in a miso tank, and Kumada found the circumstances of their discovery suspicious, leading him to believe a retrial should be considered.
However, Kumada did not convey this belief to his fellow judges before retiring and becoming a lawyer. He explained, “Judges do not casually discuss their personal opinions with each other. We only express our opinions when it’s time to make a formal decision,” which is why he did not mention his doubts about the guilty verdict to his colleagues.
The Path to the Start of the Retrial and Release
Hakamada’s retrial request was once dismissed by the Shizuoka District Court in 1994. However, due to the persistent efforts of supporters and the emergence of new evidence, the Shizuoka District Court decided to commence the retrial and release Hakamada in 2014. The presiding judge at the time, Mr. Murayama, stated that “the disclosure of evidence by the prosecution was the key to starting the retrial,” emphasizing the need for legal reforms to facilitate earlier retrial proceedings.
What the Testimonies of Judges Who Believed in Innocence Reveal
Through the testimonies of judges involved in the Hakamada case, it becomes clear that this case has long been suspected of being a miscarriage of justice. At least two judges felt there was a possibility of Hakamada’s innocence, yet their sentiments were not reflected in the judicial process, leading to a delay of 58 years. This raises serious questions about the Japanese legal system.
Now that the retrial has commenced, there is a high possibility that Hakamada’s innocence will be proven. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining judicial fairness and the significance of the retrial system, highlighting the sincere testimonies of judges. The verdict of Hakamada’s retrial is scheduled to be delivered on September 26, and the outcome is eagerly awaited.
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