Iwao Hakamata, the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, was declared innocent in September 2024 after a 56-year battle led by his sister, Hideko Hakamata. Convicted in 1968 for quadruple murder, Hakamata suffered severe mental distress during his decades in solitary confinement. His case highlights systemic issues in Japan’s justice system, including coerced confessions and fabricated evidence, which have prompted criticism from human rights experts and advocates for legal reform.

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