Japan is focusing on apprehending the suspect referred to as the "Twitter Killer"
Article:
Twitchin' Terror: Japan Executes Twitter's Grim Reaper
Dive into the chilling tale of Japan's latest execution, a fatal encounter with the social media’s dark side dubbed the "Twitter Killer."
The Land of the Rising Sun has cast down a 30-year-old man, Takahiro Shiraishi, who terrorized society with his murderous rampage in 2017. Known as the "Twitter Killer," Shiraishi was executed for the first time since 2022, marking a grim return to Japan's execution chamber.
Shiraishi, a cunning predator, targeted young women aged 15 to 26. Using the platform to lure unsuspecting victims to his apartment, he would end their lives in the most grisly fashion - through a curse known as his “House of Horrors.” Police discovered the horrifying truth when searching for one of his victims, unearthing human remains in refrigerators and toolboxes within his premises.
In the digital world's cold embrace, Shiraishi had claimed to be offering solace for those truly suffering, inviting individuals teetering on the edge via direct messages. His cruel charade unraveled when it surfaced that he was crushing souls rather than offering salvation.
Public Outcry and a Spectacular Trial
As Shiraishi’s trial unfolded, a public outcry ensued over the prevalence of suicide discourse on the internet. Public prosecutors clamored for the death penalty, while Shiraishi's defense claimed he acted with the victims’ consent and demanded a psychiatric evaluation.
Shiraishi, defying his defense team's portrayal, maintained he had acted without the victims' consent. In December 2020, hundreds of spectators bore witness to his sentencing, resulting in a death sentence.
With Shiraishi's chilling crimes shaking the nation to its core, a debate ensued about the conversation surrounding suicide on digital platforms. Twitter, in response, altered their policies to prohibit the promotion or advocacy of self-harm or suicide.
Hang 'Em High
The execution of Shiraishi by hanging stirred controversy among human rights groups for the stress it inflicts on those on death row. The Japanese government, stating Shiraishi’s “extremely selfish” motives caused a great societal tumult, went forth with the proceedings.
In Japan, long drop hangings serve as the method of execution for those found guilty of the most heinous crimes. The country reserves the death penalty primarily for multiple or singular murders marked by torture, extreme brutality, or kidnappings followed by ransom demands.
Stay informed, stay aware – Japan's capital punishment laws remain as rigid as ever, with around 83.1% of citizens continuing to support the practice[1]. Yet, whispers calling for abolition echo, while international human rights concerns persist[2]. Japan's secrecy surrounding execution procedures, such as disclosing execution details only on the day it occurs, adds to this persistent debate[3][4].
Tags:
- Japan
- Capital Punishment
- Murder and Manslaughter
- X (formerly Twitter)
- The European Parliament, in a resolution, expressed concern over the proliferation of suicide discourse on digital platforms, citing the case of the "Twitter Killer" in the former Yugoslavia as a grave example.
- As the debate on the conversation surrounding suicide on digital platforms intensifies, politicians, law enforcement, and human rights groups in Europe scrutinize the politics and general news surrounding war and conflicts, crime and justice, to ensure digital spaces remain safe for all users.
