Takahiro Shiraishi, the perpetrator of the shocking ‘Zama Nine Corpses’ case in Japan, was executed today (27th). This is the first death penalty carried out by the Shimbo cabinet, prompting questions regarding political motives, as elections approach and about 80% of the public supports capital punishment.

Shiraishi, aged 34, was arrested in 2017, covering his face from the media. After being sentenced to death five years ago, he was officially executed this morning. His former lawyer, Akira Ohmori, stated, “He showed no fear of the death penalty or expressed any desire to escape; rather, he accepted it with a calm demeanor.”

Shiraishi committed his crimes in Kanagawa Prefecture, using social media to lure victims with suicidal tendencies, ultimately taking nine lives within two months, including eight women who were also sexually assaulted. The Japanese Ministry of Justice described this case as exceptionally brutal with significant social implications.

Japan employs hanging as its method of execution, averaging 7 years and 6 months from sentencing to execution, similar to the time Shiraishi waited. Death row inmates are kept in small detention rooms without the ability to lie down, allowed just 15 minutes of monitored outdoor time two to three times a week. Inmates are only informed of their execution on the morning of the event.

With about 80% public support for the death penalty, this marks Japan’s first execution since July 2022, occurring less than a month before the upcoming July 20 Senate elections, raising further political implications.