Takayoshi Tsuda, the Chief of Police of Shizuoka Prefecture, publicly apologized to Iwao Hakamata on live TV on Monday for fabricating evidence and coercing him during a murder investigation. This misconduct led to Hakamata’s wrongful arrest and 48 years on death row.

Speaking to Hakamata and his family, local media reports Chief Tsuda as stating: “For the 58 long years from your arrest to the confirmation of your innocence, we caused you unimaginable distress and burden, and for that, I am deeply sorry.” Following up to local press, Tsuda said: “Initially, the police conducted the investigation, and I apologized for the burden and pain we caused. I believe they accepted my words.”

The apology came after Iwao Hakamata was acquitted by the Shizuoka District Court, where the presiding judge determined that the evidence against him was fabricated. The original murder investigation involved the manager of Hakamata’s former workplace, along with his wife and two children. During the investigation, bloodstains found on clothing in a miso paste tank at Hakamata’s workplace, a miso factory, were accepted as evidence. However, expert testimony presented during the appeal trial demonstrated that it would have been impossible for the bloodstains to retain their strong reddish color from the time of the murder until the clothing was discovered.

Amnesty International has raised concerns about Japan’s use of the death penalty, claiming that it violates the country’s human rights obligations. Article 5 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights prohibits the use of torture or cruel and unusual punishment, which the non-governmental organization argues is violated by the use of the death penalty. Specifically, Amnesty highlights the inadequate assessment for the mental well-being of prisoners, and the continuous application of the death penalty to individuals suffering from mental or intellectual disabilities.