Japan Executes “Twitter Killer” in Notorious 2017 Murder Case

The nation of Japan has carried out the execution of a man, Takahiro Shiraishi, responsible for the 2017 killings of nine people. This marks the first time since 2022 that Japan has used capital punishment, highlighting the case’s severity and impact.

Details of the Crimes

The crimes committed by Shiraishi, often labeled the “Twitter killer,” shocked Japan and sparked discussions on suicide discussions online. Then 30 years old, Shiraishi lured the victims, primarily young women aged 15 to 26, to his apartment. He strangled and dismembered them.

The grim discovery unfolded in October 2017 when police found body parts in Zama, near Tokyo, while searching for one of the victims.

“Warning: Readers may find some details in this story distressing.”

Shiraishi admitted to murdering nine suicidal individuals, indicating he connected with them via Twitter, now known as X. He offered to help them die, even suggesting he would die alongside them.

His Twitter profile included a message: “I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM [direct message] me anytime.” Nine dismembered bodies were later found in coolers and toolboxes in his apartment, which media outlets called a “house of horrors.”

While prosecutors sought the death penalty, Shiraishi’s legal team argued for a lesser charge. They claimed the victims had consented to being killed and requested an evaluation of his mental state.

Legal Proceedings and Social Impact

Shiraishi later contradicted his defense, asserting he killed without the victims’ consent. Hundreds attended his verdict hearing in December 2020, when he received the death sentence.

The case triggered changes by Twitter, which revised its guidelines to prohibit content that “promote[s] or encourage[s] suicide or self-harm.”

Suicide rates in Japan remain a concern, with the country having one of the highest suicide rates among developed nations. In 2022, Japan recorded over 21,000 suicides, a slight decrease from previous years, but still a significant figure highlighting ongoing mental health challenges (World Health Organization).

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