Justice Finally Prevails: Iwao Hakamada Acquitted After Nearly 60 Years

Iwao Hakamada, a former boxer, was acquitted after 60 years of wrongful conviction and death row imprisonment in Japan. The case involved fabricated evidence and forced confessions. His acquittal has sparked calls for legal reform and transparency in Japan's criminal justice system.

Iwao Hakamada, a former boxer, was finally acquitted last month after spending nearly 60 years on death row. His wrongful conviction was the result of an investigation where police allegedly fabricated evidence and coerced a confession.

On Monday, Shizuoka Prefectural Police Chief Takayoshi Tsuda personally apologized to Hakamada. Visibly emotional, he acknowledged the 'unspeakable mental distress' inflicted during Hakamada's decades-long struggle for justice. Despite his frail health, Hakamada acknowledged the apology.

Hakamada's case has ignited debate on Japan's opaque judicial processes, calling for reform in retrial laws and questioning the fairness of death penalty applications. His release marks a significant moment in Japan's postwar legal history.

(With inputs from agencies.)