by
Tokyo, June 27, 2025 – Japan has carried out the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi, infamously known as the "Twitter Killer," for the brutal murder of nine individuals, most of whom were women. The execution, the first in Japan in nearly three years, was confirmed by Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki on Friday, according to reports from CNN and Al Jazeera.
Shiraishi, aged 34, was convicted in December 2020 after confessing to the murders in court. The case, described as one of Japan's most horrific mass killings, sent shockwaves across the nation. Shiraishi lured his victims, aged between 15 and 26, through social media platforms, particularly Twitter, targeting individuals who expressed suicidal thoughts. Exploiting their vulnerabilities, he trapped and killed them, driven by sexual and financial motives.
Authorities discovered chilling evidence in Shiraishi’s apartment in Zama, a suburb of Tokyo, where he stored the dismembered remains of his victims. Police found three cooler boxes and five containers holding human heads and bones, with flesh stripped from the remains.
The victims included eight women and one man. Shiraishi was found guilty of murder, rape, and dismembering the bodies. Justice Minister Suzuki, addressing a press conference on Friday, described the crimes as "selfish" and motivated by personal gain. "In just two months, nine people were killed, spreading fear and anxiety in society," Suzuki said, emphasizing the immense suffering caused to victims and their families.
Japan’s last execution took place in July 2022, according to NHK. The country typically carries out death penalties by hanging, with the timing disclosed only after the execution. Suzuki stated that Shiraishi’s death sentence was finalized through a thorough judicial process, ensuring all aspects were carefully considered.
The case has reignited discussions about the use of the death penalty in Japan and the dangers of predatory behavior on social media platforms.
AI/MR
