MUSCAT: Japan has carried out the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the “Twitter Killer,” who was convicted of murdering and dismembering nine individuals he lured through social media platforms. The execution, conducted by hanging, was confirmed by Japan’s Justice Ministry on Friday, marking a rare but highly publicized instance of capital punishment in the country. Shiraishi’s case had deeply shocked the nation due to the gruesome nature of his crimes and the calculated manner in which he selected his victims.
Shiraishi, 34, was arrested in 2017 after authorities discovered body parts in his apartment in Zama City, near Tokyo. He admitted to targeting individuals who had expressed suicidal thoughts on social media, particularly Twitter, under the guise of offering support. Instead, he manipulated their vulnerabilities to lure them into his residence, where he murdered and dismembered them. All of the victims were young, and the case raised urgent concerns about the safety of online interactions in Japan.
The trial, which concluded in December 2020, resulted in a death sentence after Shiraishi confessed to all nine killings. While his defense team initially claimed diminished capacity due to mental illness, the court ultimately rejected those arguments, stating that he was fully responsible and aware of his actions. The verdict was widely supported by the public, with many calling for severe punishment given the gravity of the crimes.
Japan remains one of the few developed countries that actively enforces the death penalty, and executions are typically carried out without prior notice to the inmates or public. The case reignited debates around capital punishment, online safety, and mental health support. Authorities have since urged stronger regulation of social media platforms and more proactive mental health interventions to prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
