Japan Breaks 3-Year Silence: 'Twitter Killer' Executed After Gruesome Murder Spree Shocked Nation

The Return of Japan's Death Penalty After Three Years

On June 27, 2025, at 9:27 AM, Japan carried out its first execution in nearly three years, ending a prolonged hiatus in capital punishment that had sparked nationwide debate. Takahiro Shiraishi, infamously known as the 'Twitter killer,' was executed by hanging at the Tokyo Detention House, marking a significant moment in Japan's criminal justice system.

The 34-year-old serial killer had been on death row since his conviction in December 2020 for the brutal murders of nine people in 2017. His execution represents the first use of capital punishment under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's administration, which took office in October 2024. Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki, who authorized the execution, stated that the decision came after 'careful and deliberate consideration' of the case's extreme nature and its profound impact on Japanese society.

The three-year gap in executions was largely attributed to the dismissal of former Justice Minister Yasuhiro Hanashi in 2022, who made inappropriate comments about the death penalty, calling the ministerial position 'low-key' and noting it only becomes newsworthy when 'stamping a seal on execution documents.' This controversy had effectively frozen Japan's execution process until now.

The Horrific Crimes That Shocked a Nation

Between August and October 2017, Shiraishi orchestrated one of Japan's most disturbing serial killing sprees in modern history. Using the social media platform Twitter (now X), he targeted vulnerable individuals who had expressed suicidal thoughts online. Operating under a username that loosely translated to 'hangman,' Shiraishi presented himself as someone who could help people end their lives painlessly.

His victims ranged from 15 to 26 years old, including eight women and one man. Among them were three high school girls, making the case particularly shocking to the Japanese public. Shiraishi would invite these individuals to his small apartment in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, under the pretense of assisting with their suicidal intentions. However, his true motives were far more sinister.

Upon arrival, Shiraishi would sexually assault the female victims before strangling them to death. He then dismembered their bodies and stored the remains in cooler boxes and storage containers throughout his apartment. The one male victim was killed because he had come searching for one of the female victims who had gone missing. Neighbors later reported detecting foul odors emanating from the apartment, which they initially dismissed as rotting food.

The Investigation and Shocking Discovery

The case broke open when the brother of one missing victim launched his own investigation to find his sister. With the help of a woman known only as 'Yumi,' they contacted Shiraishi and arranged a fake meeting, ultimately involving police in the operation. When authorities arrived at Shiraishi's apartment and asked about the missing woman's whereabouts, he calmly directed them to his freezer.

What police discovered inside the apartment horrified even seasoned investigators. Three cooler boxes and five large storage containers held dismembered human remains, including heads, arms, and legs stripped of flesh. The gruesome scene revealed the extent of Shiraishi's methodical approach to concealing his crimes. Some body parts had even been disposed of in regular garbage, which had already been collected by waste management services.

During interrogation, Shiraishi confessed to all nine murders without showing remorse. He admitted that his primary motivations were sexual gratification and financial gain, as he had stolen money from his victims. Before committing these crimes, Shiraishi had reportedly told his father that his life had no meaning, providing insight into his disturbed mental state.

Social Media's Dark Side and Public Response

The case highlighted the dangerous potential of social media platforms when exploited by predators. Shiraishi had worked as a scout in Tokyo's Kabukicho red-light district, where he was known for luring women into the sex industry. Locals had warned others about him, describing him as a 'creepy scout' even before his murderous spree began.

The Twitter killer case prompted significant changes in social media policies. Twitter (now X) implemented new guidelines against promoting or encouraging suicide and self-harm. The Japanese government also enhanced telephone and online support services for individuals contemplating suicide, recognizing the need for better mental health resources in a country with one of the world's highest suicide rates.

Japanese online communities expressed mixed reactions to the execution. While many supported the death penalty for such heinous crimes, others questioned the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent. The case reignited debates about social media responsibility and the need for better monitoring of platforms to prevent similar tragedies.

Legal Proceedings and International Criticism

Shiraishi's trial proceeded relatively quickly by Japanese standards. He was sentenced to death in December 2020, and although his defense attorney initially filed an appeal, Shiraishi himself withdrew it, leading to the finalization of his sentence in January 2021. This decision effectively sealed his fate, as Japanese law requires death sentences to be carried out within six months of finalization, though this timeline is rarely observed in practice.

The execution drew immediate criticism from international human rights organizations. Amnesty International condemned the action as a 'callous attack on the right to life' and a 'major setback for Japan's human rights record.' The organization pointed to the recent exoneration of Iwao Hakamada, the world's longest-serving death row inmate, as evidence of flaws in Japan's criminal justice system.

Despite international pressure, domestic support for capital punishment remains strong in Japan. A 2024 government survey showed that over 80% of Japanese citizens support the death penalty system, calling it 'unavoidable.' This marked the fifth consecutive survey where support exceeded 80%, indicating stable public backing for capital punishment in cases of multiple murders.

The Secretive Nature of Japanese Executions

Japan's execution process is shrouded in extreme secrecy, adding to the controversy surrounding capital punishment in the country. Prisoners are typically given only a few hours' notice before their execution, and their families are usually informed only after the procedure is completed. The dates and details of executions are not disclosed publicly until after they occur, maintaining a veil of secrecy that critics argue makes the punishment additionally cruel.

Shiraishi's execution followed this pattern of secrecy. Justice Minister Suzuki revealed that he had signed the execution order on Monday but provided no additional details about when Shiraishi was informed or his final moments. The execution was carried out by hanging, the standard method in Japan, at the Tokyo Detention House under strict security measures.

This secretive approach contrasts sharply with practices in other countries that maintain capital punishment, where executions often involve more transparency and advance notice. Critics argue that this secrecy violates international standards for humane treatment of prisoners and adds psychological torture to the punishment.

Implications for Japan's Future and Global Context

The resumption of executions under the Ishiba administration signals Japan's continued commitment to capital punishment despite growing international opposition. As of 2025, 113 countries worldwide have completely abolished the death penalty, with more than 144 having abandoned it in law or practice. Japan remains part of a shrinking group of developed nations that actively carry out executions.

The case also raises broader questions about mental health support and social media regulation in Japan. With suicide rates remaining high despite recent improvements, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through social platforms represents an ongoing challenge. The government's enhanced support services, implemented after the Twitter killer case, continue to evolve as authorities grapple with preventing similar tragedies.

Looking forward, Japan faces pressure to reform its criminal justice system, particularly regarding the death penalty. The exoneration of Hakamada Iwao in 2024 exposed serious flaws in the system, including forced confessions and inadequate legal representation. However, strong domestic support for capital punishment suggests that significant changes are unlikely in the near term, leaving Japan increasingly isolated among developed nations in its continued use of the death penalty.