Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ who murdered and dismembered 9 people

Japan has carried out the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the Twitter killer, who was convicted of murdering and dismembering nine people, mostly women. It marks the countrys first use of capital punishment in nearly three years. Shiraishi, 34, was hanged on Friday at the Tokyo Detention House. He had been sentenced to death in 2020 after pleading guilty to the killings, which took place between August and October 2017. His victims included eight women and one man, all of whom he lured through social media. He was arrested in October 2017 after police traced the disappearance of a 23-year-old woman who had expressed suicidal thoughts online. Investigators discovered dismembered body parts in coolers and containers at his apartment in Zama, Kanagawa prefecture. The victims, aged between 15 and 26, had reportedly posted suicidal messages on platforms such as Twitter, now known as X. Shiraishi, using an alias that loosely translated to hangman, contacted them with promises to assist in their deaths. Instead, he murdered them to satisfy his sexual desires, according to court proceedings. In December 2020, Shiraishi was found guilty of murder, rape, and mutilation. Although his lawyer initially appealed, the appeal was later withdrawn, making the sentence final. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said:This case, driven by selfish motives such as sexual and financial gratification, resulted in the deaths of nine individuals over two months a deeply serious incident that has caused shock and anxiety across society.Following the execution, the father of one of the victims told NHK he would have preferred Shiraishi spend his life reflecting on his crimes rather than being executed.Japans executions are carried out by hanging and are conducted in secrecy, with no prior notice given to the public, families, or legal representatives. Shiraishis execution is the first in the country since July 2022.Justice Minister Suzuki concluded, The death sentence was finalized following a thorough trial. After careful consideration of all factors, I issued the execution order.