Sister of ex‑death‑row inmate condemns Japan’s retrial reform bill

Hideko Hakamada, sister of former death‑row inmate Iwao Hakamata, condemned a draft bill to overhaul Japan’s retrial system on Saturday.

The protest matters because the legislation could let prosecutors overturn acquittals, a step critics say threatens the hard‑won safeguards that follow decades of wrongful convictions in Japan.

Iwao Hakamata, now 88 years old, spent more than 45 years on death row before a Tokyo court cleared him of a 1966 murder charge ^[4][5]. His case, the longest‑serving death‑row imprisonment in the nation’s modern history, sparked calls for greater transparency in the criminal process.

The Justice Ministry’s draft proposes that prosecutors be barred from appealing acquittals and that all evidence, including interrogation records, be disclosed in full to the defense and the public ^[1]. Hakamada said the measures are essential to prevent future miscarriages of justice and to honor the principle that “once a person is found not guilty, that verdict should stand.”

At a press conference in Tokyo, Hakamada, who is reported as 90 years old by ADNKronos, said prosecutors must not be allowed to reverse acquittals and that every piece of evidence should be on the record ^[2]. A Winnipeg Free Press report lists her age as 91, highlighting a minor discrepancy in reporting ^[3].

Legal scholars note that Japan’s current retrial system, introduced in the 1970s, gives prosecutors a rare right to request a new trial after an acquittal, a power that has been used sparingly but remains controversial. The proposed reforms would codify stricter limits, aligning Japan with international norms that prioritize finality of verdicts and defendant rights.

Human‑rights groups have welcomed Hakamada’s call, saying the case underscores the need for systemic change. They point to the fact that the original murder occurred in 1966, a period when police interrogation practices were less regulated, contributing to false confessions and wrongful convictions ^[5].

The debate unfolds as Japan prepares to vote on the bill later this year, a decision that could reshape the balance of power between prosecutors and the courts, and influence public confidence in the justice system. The Japan Times article reporting the protest was published on April 18, 2026 ^[1].