Japanese prefectural governments targeted for financial assistance of approximately 600 million yen by Hakamata
In a significant development, lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a Japanese man who was acquitted after spending over 47 years on death row for a 1966 murder case in Shizuoka Prefecture, have announced plans to file two damages lawsuits against both the central and prefectural governments. The lawsuits, set to be filed on September 26 and September 11 respectively, seek compensation for lost income during Hakamata's long detention and care expenses after his release, as well as for defamation caused by official statements.
The first lawsuit, scheduled for September 26, aims to secure approximately ¥600 million (around $4.4 million) in damages. This lawsuit is in response to Hakamata's time in custody and care expenses incurred after his release. The second lawsuit, to be filed as early as September 11, pertains to a statement made by Prosecutor-General Naomi Unemoto. The lawyers argue that this statement constitutes libel against Hakamata, implying that he is a criminal.
Hakamata was arrested on August 18, 1966, on suspicion of robbery and murder. His death sentence became final in 1980. After being detained for 47 years and seven months, Hakamata was released in March 2014 following a retrial granted by the district court. This planned lawsuit represents Japan’s largest-ever payout in a criminal case, equating roughly to $83 per day of his incarceration on death row.
The first damages lawsuit is unrelated to any of the technological, economic, or social impact news mentioned in the TAGS section. Similarly, the details of Hakamata's case, including his arrest and release, are not related to the separate lawsuit over a statement made by Prosecutor-General Naomi Unemoto.
The lawyers' action comes as a response to Hakamata's prolonged wrongful imprisonment and the reputational harm caused by official statements. The prosecutors’ statement lawsuit is pursued separately but closely linked to the main damages claim. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to seek justice and compensation for individuals who have been wrongfully imprisoned in Japan.
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