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Sister of Iwao Hakamata in Rome

Hideko Hakamata, 92, (R), older sister of Iwao Hakamata, prepares to attend the closing ceremony of an international conference on peace in Rome on Oct. 28, 2025. Iwao Hakamata was acquitted in 2024 in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Sister of Iwao Hakamata in Rome

Hideko Hakamata, 92, (R), older sister of Iwao Hakamata, prepares to attend the closing ceremony of an international conference on peace in Rome on Oct. 28, 2025. Iwao Hakamata was acquitted in 2024 in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

SHIZUOKA, Japan, Oct. 9 Kyodo - Lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a former death-row inmate acquitted in a 2024 retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder, head for the Shizuoka District Court in the central Japan city on Oct. 9, 2025, to file damages lawsuit against the state and Shizuoka Prefecture over fabricated evidence. The filing was performed by his lawyers as he has difficulty communicating due to post-incarceration syndrome. (Kyodo)

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Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

Lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a former death-row inmate acquitted in a 2024 retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder, head for the Shizuoka District Court in the central Japan city on Oct. 9, 2025, to file damages lawsuit against the state and Shizuoka Prefecture over fabricated evidence. The filing was performed by his lawyers as he has difficulty communicating due to post-incarceration syndrome.

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Man acquitted of 1966 murder case files damages suit

Lawyers for Iwao Hakamata, a former death-row inmate acquitted in a 2024 retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder, head for the Shizuoka District Court in the central Japan city on Oct. 9, 2025, to file damages lawsuit against the state and Shizuoka Prefecture over fabricated evidence. The filing was performed by his lawyers as he has difficulty communicating due to post-incarceration syndrome.

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Japan prosecutor apologizes to man acquitted of 1966 murders

Hideko Hakamata speaks to the media after Hideo Yamada, chief of the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office, apologized in person to her 88-year-old brother Iwao at their home in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 27, 2024. Iwao Hakamata was acquitted in a retrial in September over a 1966 quadruple murder case, after spending more than four decades on death row. (Pool photo)

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Japan prosecutor apologizes to man acquitted of 1966 murders

Iwao Hakamata (R), 88, is pictured at his home in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 27, 2024. Hideo Yamada, chief of the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office, visited and apologized the same day to Hakamata, who was acquitted in a retrial in September over a 1966 quadruple murder case, after spending more than four decades on death row. (Pool photo)

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Japan prosecutor apologizes to man acquitted of 1966 murders

Hideo Yamada, chief of the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office, bows in apology to Iwao Hakamata (2nd from R) and his sister Hideko (far R) during a visit to their home in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 27, 2024. Iwao Hakamata, 88, was acquitted in a retrial in September over a 1966 quadruple murder case, after spending more than four decades on death row. (Pool photo)

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Japan prosecutor apologizes to man acquitted of 1966 murders

Hideo Yamada, chief of the Shizuoka District Public Prosecutors Office, bows in apology to Iwao Hakamata (2nd from R) and his sister Hideko (far R) during a visit to their home in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, on Nov. 27, 2024. Iwao Hakamata, 88, was acquitted in a retrial in September over a 1966 quadruple murder case, after spending more than four decades on death row. (Pool photo)

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Hakamata appears in public

SHIZUOKA, Japan, Oct. 14 Kyodo - Iwao Hakamata, 88, receives flower bouquets during a meeting with his supporters in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2024. His recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case was finalized on Oct. 9. (Kyodo)

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[Breaking News]Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders finalized

SHIZUOKA, Japan, Oct. 9 Kyodo - Shizuoka prefectural police chief Takayoshi Tsuda speaks to reporters at the prefectural police headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 9, 2024, after it was announced the previous day that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of Iwao Hakamata, 88, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death. (Kyodo)

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Documentary film on Iwao Hakamata

Hideko Hakamata (L) appears on the stage of a movie house in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2024, as a documentary film on her 88-year-old brother, Iwao Hakamata, is released the same day, depicting his life through the recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case in Shizuoka Prefecture for which he had been sentenced to death. Standing by Hideko is Chiaki Kasai, who directed the film.

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Documentary film on Iwao Hakamata

Hideko Hakamata (L) appears on the stage of a movie house in Tokyo on Oct. 19, 2024, as a documentary film on her 88-year-old brother, Iwao Hakamata, is released the same day, depicting his life through the recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case in Shizuoka Prefecture for which he had been sentenced to death. Standing by Hideko is Chiaki Kasai, who directed the film.

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Hakamata appears in public

Iwao Hakamata, 88, receives flower bouquets during a meeting with his supporters in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2024. His recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case was finalized on Oct. 9.

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Hakamata appears in public

Iwao Hakamata (L), 88, waves to his supporters during a meeting in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2024. His recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case was finalized on Oct. 9.

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Hakamata speaks in public

Iwao Hakamata, 88, speaks during a meeting with his supporters in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2024, marking the first time he has spoken in public after his recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case was finalized on Oct. 9.

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Hakamata speaks in public

Iwao Hakamata, 88, speaks during a meeting with his supporters in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Oct. 14, 2024, marking the first time he has spoken in public after his recent acquittal in a retrial over a 1966 quadruple murder case was finalized on Oct. 9.

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Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders finalized

Shizuoka prefectural police chief Takayoshi Tsuda (far R) speaks to reporters at the prefectural police headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 9, 2024, after it was announced the previous day that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of Iwao Hakamata, 88, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

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Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders finalized

Shizuoka prefectural police chief Takayoshi Tsuda speaks to reporters at the prefectural police headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 9, 2024, after it was announced the previous day that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of Iwao Hakamata, 88, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

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Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders finalized

Shizuoka prefectural police chief Takayoshi Tsuda speaks to reporters at the prefectural police headquarters in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 9, 2024, after it was announced the previous day that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of Iwao Hakamata, 88, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

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Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders to be finalized

Hideko Hakamata speaks during a press conference in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 8, 2024, after it was announced that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of her 88-year-old brother, Iwao Hakamata, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

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Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders to be finalized

Hideko Hakamata smiles during a press conference in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 8, 2024, after it was announced that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of her 88-year-old brother, Iwao Hakamata, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

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Japanese man's acquittal of 1966 murders to be finalized

Hideko Hakamata smiles during a press conference in the central Japan city of Shizuoka on Oct. 8, 2024, after it was announced that prosecutors will not appeal the recent acquittal of her 88-year-old brother, Iwao Hakamata, in his retrial for a 1966 quadruple murder for which he had been sentenced to death.

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[Breaking News]Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

SHIZUOKA, Japan, Sept. 26 Kyodo - Hideko Hakamata smiles in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted her brother Iwao in a retrial decades after the 88-year-old former professional boxer was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case. (Kyodo)

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata (2nd from R) stands in front of reporters after the Shizuoka District Court in Shizuoka, central Japan, acquitted her brother Iwao on Sept. 26, 2024, in a retrial decades after the 88-year-old former professional boxer was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata smiles in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted her brother Iwao in a retrial decades after the 88-year-old former professional boxer was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata smiles during a press conference in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted her brother Iwao in a retrial decades after the 88-year-old former professional boxer was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata (C) smiles in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted her brother Iwao in a retrial decades after the 88-year-old former professional boxer was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata (facing camera) hugs a supporter of her brother Iwao in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted the 88-year-old former professional boxer in a retrial decades after he was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata (2nd from L) smiles in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted her brother Iwao in a retrial decades after the 88-year-old former professional boxer was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Hideko Hakamata addresses supporters of her brother Iwao in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted the 88-year-old former professional boxer in a retrial decades after he was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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CORRECTED: Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Iwao Hakamata leaves home for his daily stroll on Sept. 26, 2024, in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan. The Shizuoka District Court acquitted the 88-year-old former professional boxer the same day in a retrial decades after he was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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CORRECTED: Japan court acquits man in 1966 murder retrial

Supporters of Iwao Hakamata celebrate on Sept. 26, 2024, in Shizuoka, central Japan, after the Shizuoka District Court acquitted the 88-year-old former professional boxer in a retrial decades after he was sentenced to death over a 1966 quadruple murder case.

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CORRECTED: Retrial of man over 1966 quadruple murder

Supporters of Iwao Hakamata, who was sentenced to death for a 1966 quadruple murder but released in 2014 under a district court ruling after 48 years in detention, hold a rally in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, ahead of the ruling in the former professional boxer's retrial at the Shizuoka District Court.

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CORRECTED: Retrial of man over 1966 quadruple murder

Supporters of Iwao Hakamata, who was sentenced to death for a 1966 quadruple murder but released in 2014 under a district court ruling after 48 years in detention, hold a rally in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Sept. 26, 2024, ahead of the ruling in the former professional boxer's retrial at the Shizuoka District Court.

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(SP)JAPAN-SAITAMA-FOOTBALL-AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-FINAL-URAWA REDS VS AL HILAL

(230506) -- SAITAMA, May 6, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iwao Ken, Ogiwara Takuya and Okubo Tomoaki (from L to R) of Urawa Reds celebrate after the final 2nd leg of 2022 AFC Champions League against Al Hilal at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan on May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

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Football: Asian Champions League

Japan's Urawa Reds midfielder Ken Iwao (L) vies for the ball with a Wuhan Three Towns opponent during the first half of a match in the Asian Champions League football group stage on Nov. 29, 2023, at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, near Tokyo.

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(SP)JAPAN-SAITAMA-FOOTBALL-AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE-FINAL-URAWA REDS VS AL HILAL

(230506) -- SAITAMA, May 6, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Iwao Ken, Ogiwara Takuya and Okubo Tomoaki (from L to R) of Urawa Reds celebrate after the final 2nd leg of 2022 AFC Champions League against Al Hilal at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan on May 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

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Japan, German police discuss security for G-8 summit in Hokkaido

TOKYO, Japan - Jorg Ziercke (L), president of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office, shakes hands with Japan's National Police Agency head Iwao Uruma (R) at the agency in Tokyo on Aug. 13. Ziercke paid a courtesy call on Uruma after senior officials of the German police office and their Japanese counterparts discussed security measures for the Group of Eight summit to be held in July next year at the Lake Toya hot-spa resort area in Hokkaido.

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Ex-death row inmate urges end to death penalty in Japan

SHIZUOKA, Japan - Iwao Hakamada, a former death row inmate who was freed in March 2014 after nearly 48 years in prison following a court decision to reopen his case, seeks an end to Japan's death penalty during an event in Shizuoka, central Japan, on Nov. 24, 2014, as his elder sister Hideko looks on.

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Former death row inmate attends meeting against death penalty

TOKYO, Japan - Iwao Hakamada (R), a former death row inmate who was freed in March 2014 after nearly 48 years in prison following a court decision to reopen his case, and his sister Hideko, attend a civic meeting seeking an end to the death penalty, in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Oct. 11, 2014. Hakamada, a 78-year-old former professional boxer, was sentenced to death for the murder of four members of a family in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1966, but was freed after the Shizuoka District Court approved DNA test results that showed blood found on five items of clothing said to have been worn by the culprit was not Hakamada's.

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Former death row inmate attends meeting against death penalty

TOKYO, Japan - Iwao Hakamada (R), a former death row inmate who was freed in March 2014 after nearly 48 years in prison following a court decision to reopen his case, and his sister Hideko, attend a civic meeting seeking an end to the death penalty, in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on Oct. 11, 2014. Hakamada, a 78-year-old former professional boxer, was sentenced to death for the murder of four members of a family in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1966, but was freed after the Shizuoka District Court approved DNA test results that showed blood found on five items of clothing said to have been worn by the culprit was not Hakamada's.

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Former death-row inmate Hakamada hospitalized

NAGOYA, Japan - File photo shows Iwao Hakamada, a 78-year-old former death-row inmate who was released following a court decision in March 2014 to reopen the 1966 murder case that led to his conviction. Hakamada, a former professional boxer, has been hospitalized for pneumonia in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, his lawyers said Aug. 29, 2014.

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Man once on death row returns to hometown

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Iwao Hakamada (C), 78, a former professional boxer, arrives at JR Hamamatsu Station in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on May 27, 2014. Hakamada, sentenced to death, returned to his hometown for the first time since his release from nearly half a century of detention following a court decision to reopen a 1966 murder case.

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Man once on death row returns to hometown

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Iwao Hakamada (C), 78, a former professional boxer, holds a press conference in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on May 27, 2014. Hakamada, sentenced to death, returned to his hometown that day for the first time since his release from nearly half a century of detention following a court decision to reopen a 1966 murder case.

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Man once on death row returns to hometown

HAMAMATSU, Japan - Iwao Hakamada (L), 78, a former professional boxer, holds a press conference in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, on May 27, 2014. Hakamada, sentenced to death, returned to his hometown that day for the first time since his release from nearly half a century of detention following a court decision to reopen a 1966 murder case.

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Ex-boxer gets honorary belt after release from death row

OSAKA, Japan - Former professional boxer Iwao Hakamada (C), released from death row after nearly 48 years of detention, poses with his sister Hideko (L) and incumbent Japanese champions after receiving an honorary belt in Tokyo on May 19, 2014.

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Death-row inmate freed after 48 years of detention

TOKYO, Japan - A car carrying Iwao Hakamada, 78, leaves the Tokyo Detention House (back) on March 27, 2014, after the Shizuoka District Court decided earlier in the day to reopen a 1966 murder case, suspend his death sentence and permit his release. The court said there is a possibility that investigative authorities fabricated incriminating evidence.

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Death-row inmate freed after 48 years of detention

TOKYO, Japan - Iwao Hakamada, 78, gets into a car after being released from the Tokyo Detention House on March 27, 2014, after the Shizuoka District Court decided earlier in the day to reopen a 1966 murder case, suspend his death sentence and permit his release. The court said there is a possibility that investigative authorities fabricated incriminating evidence.

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Death-row inmate freed after 48 years of detention

TOKYO, Japan - Iwao Hakamada (L), 78, accompanied by his sister Hideko (R), 81, leaves the Tokyo Detention House on March 27, 2014, after the Shizuoka District Court decided earlier in the day to reopen a 1966 murder case, suspend his death sentence and permit his release. The court said there is a possibility that investigative authorities fabricated incriminating evidence.