Tokyo, Japan – Japan has carried out the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi, the man responsible for the 2017 serial killings of nine people. This marks the country’s first implementation of capital punishment since 2022.
Shiraishi, dubbed the “Twitter killer”, admitted to murdering nine individuals—mostly young women aged between 15 and 26—after contacting them via the social media platform Twitter, now known as X.
Murders That Sparked National Debate
The killings came to public attention in October 2017, when police discovered human remains in Shiraishi’s apartment in Zama, a city near Tokyo. Officers were investigating the disappearance of one of the victims when they found body parts stored in coolers and toolboxes.
Shiraishi, then 30 years old, confessed to luring suicidal individuals online by offering to help them die. His Twitter bio read: “I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM [direct message] me anytime.”
He claimed he told his victims that he would die alongside them, although he later admitted to killing them without their consent. His actions led to the apartment being dubbed a “house of horrors” by local media.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
During the trial, prosecutors sought the death penalty. Shiraishi’s defense team initially argued for a reduced sentence, citing “murder with consent” and requesting a mental health evaluation. However, Shiraishi rejected this line of defence, stating that the killings were carried out without the victims’ agreement.
In December 2020, Shiraishi was sentenced to death. The high-profile case attracted public attention, with hundreds attending the verdict hearing.
Following the case, Twitter updated its policies to prohibit users from “promoting or encouraging suicide or self-harm.” The murders prompted broader discussions in Japan on mental health support and the role of social media in suicide prevention.
Government Statement
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki, who authorized the execution, said the killings were carried out “for the genuinely selfish reason of satisfying his own sexual and financial desires,” according to AFP. He added that the case had “caused great shock and anxiety to society.”
Japan continues to use the death penalty for severe crimes. Shiraishi’s execution highlights ongoing national conversations about mental health, internet safety, and criminal justice.
