World's longest-serving death row inmate awarded record compensation in Japan
What's the story
Japanese man Iwao Hakamata, who spent almost five decades on death row before being acquitted of murder last year, has been awarded 217 million yen ($1.45 million) in compensation.
His lawyers claim the amount is the largest payout ever in a criminal case in Japan.
The 89-year-old was convicted in 1968 for murdering his employer and their family but was acquitted last year after the retrial concluded.
Mental health impact
Longest-serving death row inmate
Hakamata's lawyers argued for maximum compensation, saying his 47-year detention had severely affected his mental health.
Judge Kunii Koshi, who granted the request, said Hakamata had undergone "extremely severe" mental and physical pain during that time.
Those found not guilty in a retrial under the criminal compensation statute can claim up to ¥12,500 compensation for each day they spent in detention.
In January of this year, Hakamata's defense team requested the maximum amount of compensation available.
Legal saga
Hakamata's acquittal and release
Hakamata was wrongfully sentenced to death in 1968 after the charred bodies of his employer, their spouse, and two children were found in a fire at their Shizuoka home.
All four had been stabbed to death.
Police charged Hakamata with the murders, setting fire to their home, and stealing cash worth 200,000 yen.
He initially denied all charges but later gave a confession that was reportedly coerced after beatings and 12-hour daily interrogations.
Case details
Retrials are uncommon in Japan
He spent over half his life awaiting execution before new evidence led to his release.
A DNA test on blood found on the trousers revealed no match to Hakamata or the victims, leading the Shizuoka District Court to order a retrial in 2014.
The retrial ended last year with an acquittal.
Retrials are uncommon in Japan, where 99% of cases end in convictions, according to the Ministry of Justice website.