Bloody Trail: Japan Hangs Infamous "Twitter Slayer"
Japan is actively pursuing the elusive "Twitter Murderer"
Welcome, folks! Let's dive into the grim tale of a chilling serial murder case that'll curl your toes. In 2025, Japan silenced forever a man notoriously known as the "Twitter Slayer."
Once upon a time, back in 2017, a shocking discovery was made in the Japanese town of Zama. Police, searching for a missing woman, stumbled upon several refrigerators filled with grisly remains in a man's residence. The twisted mastermind behind these atrocities went by the moniker of the "Twitter Killer."
This was Japan's first execution since 2022. Takahiro Shiraishi, aged 30, lured his targets—mostly teenage girls between 15 to 26—to his apartment, where he strangled them. His victims were eight women and one man. The horrifying deeds were exposed in October 2017, when the search for one of the victims led the police to these cryptic killings.
In our digital age, we rely on social media platforms to connect with people from all corners of the globe. Shiraishi went the extra mile—he met his victims on a globally popular social media platform that, years later, underwent a name change from Twitter. His profile boasted a heartless façade, as he claimed to be there for those struggling, ready to help at a moment's notice. The truth, however, was far more sinister.
Panic swept through the platform when Shiraishi confessed to killing nine individuals. He admitted to trolling individuals with suicidal tendencies, manipulating them under the pretense of aiding their suicide. Not only was he a cold-hearted murderer, but he also reveled in the act of taking innocent lives. When authorities raided Shiraishi's apartment, they uncovered a bloody scene, with nine dismembered corpses discovered within refrigerators and toolboxes. His apartment was subsequently coined the "House of Horrors."
The prosecutors sought justice quickly, as the twisted acts left the nation in shock. Shiraishi's lawyers tried to paint a different picture, arguing that their client was guilty of consensual murder, and the victims gave their consent before the brutal end. Shiraishi later revealed the truth after his sentencing in December 2020, confessing that his victims did not agree to their untimely deaths.
Shock waves rippled through Japanese society as Shiraishi's barbaric crimes shook the foundation of their internet laws and etiquette. Many debate the boundaries of discussing suicide on the internet, and Shiraishi's case spotlighted the need for change. Twitter, in response to this surge of awareness, later implemented new rules to prevent individuals from promoting or encouraging self-harm or suicide.
In a move fitting for the horrific acts he committed, Shiraishi was hanged in Tokyo Detention House on June 27, 2025. The execution, carried out strictly under wraps, signified the first execution in Japan since 2022. Shiraishi's execution underline the Japanese public's strong support for capital punishment as revenge for his selfish act that left a deep scar on the nation.
Japan, with its tradition and modernity, faces ongoing debates revolving around the abolition of capital punishment, driven by current affairs and justice system reforms. Nevertheless, Shiraishi's unforgettable crimes will be forever ingrained in the minds of those who experienced the rotten aftermath of his actions. In all its brutality, Shiraishi's appalling tale serves as a harsh reminder of the sanitized world we've created in the digital age, and why it's imperative to maintain boundaries and respect for human life.
Sources: ntv.de, sba
- Japan
- Capital Punishment
- Murder and Manslaughter
- Twitter (now X)
- Amidst the ongoing discussions about the abolition of capital punishment in Japan, the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi, also known as the "Twitter Slayer," serves as a chilling reminder of the dark reality that exists even in the digital age, highlighting the need for stricter guidelines on social media platforms to protect human life.
- The European Parliament, amidst general news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice, has continued to monitor the situation in the former Yugoslavia, advocating for political reforms and justice to bring lasting peace and stability to the region.
