Criminal Known as the “Twitter Killer” executes in Japan

On the morning of June 27, 2025, Takahiro Shiraishi was executed in a Tokyo prison. He had been convicted of murdering nine young men and women in 2017 in Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture. This marks the first execution carried out by the Japanese government since 2022, and the first under Prime Minister Ishiba’s cabinet.

Shiraishi found his victims through Twitter, presenting himself as a “suicide partner” and contacting young people who expressed a desire to end their lives. These included both high school and university students. After gaining their trust, he invited them to his residence, where he sexually assaulted, murdered them, and took their money.

The case sparked serious global concerns about the dangers of social media. Shiraishi once stated: “I targeted women with mental health issues because they were easier to deceive.”

The trial began in September 2020, during which Shiraishi admitted to the crimes. His lawyer attempted to argue that the murders were carried out “with consent,” seeking a lighter sentence. However, the court rejected this argument. In December 2020, Tokyo’s Tachikawa District Court sentenced him to death. Shiraishi appealed the ruling but later withdrew the appeal.

On June 23, 2025, Japan’s Minister of Justice Suzuki officially signed the execution order. The sentence was carried out on June 27. Currently, 105 death row inmates remain in Japan’s prisons.

The victims' families and friends expressed mixed reactions. Some welcomed the execution, while others felt Shiraishi should have remained alive to reflect on his actions.

The father of a 17-year-old girl said: “His death doesn’t change anything. I think he should have lived and thought about what he did.” A friend of a 20-year-old male victim commented: “My friend won’t come back. This execution doesn’t bring closure.”

Following the case, over 6,500 posts linked to “content encouraging suicide” were identified in Japan. Consequently, the government tightened controls over harmful online content and increased financial support for youth-focused organizations. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!