Japan Executes "Twitter Killer" Takahiro Shiraishi After 9 Murders

Japan carried out the execution of a man who murdered nine people in 2017. This marked the country’s first use of the death penalty since 2022.

The killer, Takahiro Shiraishi, was known as the "Twitter killer" and shocked the nation. His crimes sparked debates over how online discussions about suicide are handled.

At 30 years old, Shiraishi lured mostly young women aged 15 to 26 to his apartment. There, he strangled and dismembered his victims, leaving body parts behind.

The case came to light in October 2017 when police found body parts in Zama, a city near Tokyo. They were searching for one of the victims at the time.

Warning: This story contains some details that may upset readers.

Shiraishi admitted to killing nine victims who were suicidal. He said he met them on Twitter, which is now called X.

He claimed he offered to help them die. In some cases, he said he would kill himself too. His Twitter profile read: "I want to help people who are really in pain. Please DM me anytime."

When police searched his home, they found nine dismembered bodies stored in coolers and tool boxes. Media called his house a "house of horrors."

Prosecutors pushed for the death penalty, but his lawyers argued for a lesser charge. They claimed his victims agreed to be killed, calling it "murder with consent." They also asked for a mental health check.

Shiraishi later disputed this, saying he did not have his victims' permission to kill them.

People gathered in courthouse in December 2020 when Shiraishi was sentenced to death. Hundreds showed up for the verdict.

The murders led Twitter to change its rules. The platform now bans posts that promote or encourage suicide or self-harm.

Japan’s justice minister Keisuke Suzuki said he ordered the death sentence. He said Shiraishi acted from selfish reasons, mainly to satisfy his sexual and financial needs.

Suzuki added the case caused major shock and fear in society.