A man who was sentenced to death for killing four people in Japan has been acquitted 56 years later.

A murder case that took place in Japan many years ago has ended with an unexpected result. 88-year-old Iwao Hakamada was found guilty of murdering four people 56 years ago and was sentenced to death. However, in a retrial held on Thursday at the Shizuoka District Court, Hakamada was acquitted.

Judge Koshi Kunii announced the decision, stating, "The court finds the defendant innocent." Hakamada, who could not attend the court due to health issues, was represented by his 91-year-old sister, Hideko.

Hakamada was accused of killing his boss, his boss's wife, and their two children in 1968, and he remained on death row for 46 years until 2014. During this time, he earned the title of the longest-serving death row inmate in the world.

The reopening of the case was prompted by doubts about the reliability of the evidence. In particular, examinations of bloody clothing found a year after the murders raised questions about the integrity of the investigation.

The death penalty is still in effect in Japan and enjoys broad public support. However, Hakamada's case has also brought criticism of the country's justice system. Human rights advocates express concerns about long detention periods and coerced confessions.

Teppei Kasai from Human Rights Watch stated, "This case is just one example of Japan's 'hostage justice' system. Suspects are held in detention for long periods and are forced to confess."

Hakamada's acquittal shows that he is the fifth death row inmate to be acquitted in Japan since the post-war period. This decision strengthens calls for reform in the country's justice system while also highlighting the risk of innocent people spending years in prison.