Japan executes ‘Twitter killer’ who had murdered 9 people; first execution since 2022

Japan has executed Takahiro Shiraishi, the man known as the “Twitter Killer,” for murdering nine people in 2017. This is Japan’s first execution in nearly three years and has reignited national debates about capital punishment, social media safety, and mental health.

Who Was the ‘Twitter Killer’?

Shiraishi used Twitter to find people struggling with suicidal thoughts. He claimed to support them and lured them to his apartment. Instead of helping, he drugged, sexually assaulted, and killed them. He dismembered their bodies and stored the remains in boxes.

Between August and October 2017, he murdered nine victims—eight women and one man. Most were teenagers or in their early 20s. The police began investigating after a young woman went missing. Her brother accessed her Twitter account, found Shiraishi’s messages, and helped authorities track him down.

Officers arrested him in late October 2017. Inside his Zama apartment, they discovered bone fragments and body parts in coolers and toolboxes.

The Trial and Death Sentence

Shiraishi confessed soon after his arrest. During the trial, he admitted to all nine killings. His lawyers argued he acted with the victims’ consent, but the court rejected that claim.

In December 2020, a Tokyo court sentenced him to death. He chose not to appeal, making the ruling final in January 2021.

Execution in 2025

On June 27, 2025, Japan hanged Shiraishi at the Tokyo Detention House. As per Japanese law, he received no prior warning. Authorities told him about the execution only a few hours before it occurred.

Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki authorized the execution. He said Shiraishi’s actions were “extremely selfish” and caused immense pain to families and society.

Japan uses hanging as its only execution method. Officials usually inform families and lawyers after the inmate has already died. Human rights groups often criticize this practice as secretive and cruel.

Public Opinion and Japan’s Death Penalty

Most Japanese citizens support the death penalty. Surveys show that over 80% of the public believe it is necessary for serious crimes.

Japan reserves capital punishment for the most severe cases. It currently has over 100 people on death row. Shiraishi’s execution is the first since July 2022, when authorities hanged Tomohiro Katō, who had killed seven people in a 2008 stabbing rampage.

Among G7 nations, only Japan and the United States still use capital punishment.

Global Reaction and Criticism

International human rights groups, including Amnesty International, criticize Japan’s execution system. They argue that the secrecy and psychological strain violate human rights standards. Inmates live for years under extreme stress, not knowing when they will die.

In Shiraishi’s case, public outcry was minimal. Many people believed the crimes were too horrific to allow for any mercy. Even some anti-death penalty advocates struggled to defend him.

Impact on Social Media and Mental Health Policies

After Shiraishi’s arrest, Japan began to improve online safety. Twitter and other platforms added features to report suicidal behavior. Japanese police also increased efforts to track suicide-related posts.

Mental health organizations received more support. The government expanded access to helplines and digital counseling services. Schools began promoting digital safety education, especially for teenagers.

This case also sparked debates about online predators. Experts urged parents to monitor teens’ internet use more closely.

Final Thoughts

Takahiro Shiraishi’s execution closes one of Japan’s darkest criminal cases. For many families, the punishment may bring closure. Still, the wounds from such a brutal case will take years to heal.

Japan now faces renewed questions. Should it keep capital punishment? Can it reform how it handles executions? And how can it protect vulnerable people from being exploited online?

This case reminds the world of the dangers lurking on social media and the need to address mental health issues seriously. It also shows how one person’s evil intentions can exploit those searching for kindness.nsibility—both online and off.