Osaka pachinko parlor arson, execution of death row inmate Takami Motonao, first under Takaichi administration

The Ministry of Justice announced on the 21st that the death row inmate, Takami Sonao (58), who set a pachinko parlor in Osaka city on fire in 2009, killing five people, and was sentenced to death for murder and other crimes, was executed at the Osaka Detention Center. The execution was the first in a year and two months since former death row inmate Takahiro Shiraishi (age 34) was executed for the murder of nine Zama people in June last year, and the first under the Sanae Takaichi administration. The execution took place 17 years after the incident occurred, and 10 years and 5 months since the death penalty was decided.

At a press conference, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said, ``This is a case that had extremely serious consequences and caused great shock and fear to society.'' I ordered the execution after careful and careful consideration.'' He reportedly signed the execution order on the 18th. According to the ministry, there are now 100 confirmed death row inmates in detention centers.

According to the final verdict, in July 2009, Takami, a death row inmate, believed that his impasse in life was due to a delusional person, and as revenge, he poured gasoline on the floor of a pachinko parlor in Osaka's Konohana Ward and set it on fire. He killed five people, including customers and store staff, and seriously injured 10 others.

At the Osaka District Court of First Instance, the defense argued that he was in a state of mental deterioration and challenged the constitutionality of the method of execution for the first time in a lay judge trial. In October 2011, the district court ruled that although the influence of mental illness could not be ruled out, he was fully responsible. ``Hanging does not constitute cruel punishment and does not violate the Constitution,'' and sentenced him to death.

The second instance Osaka High Court also dismissed the defense's appeal in July 2013, and the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal in February 2016, making the case final.