TOKYO, Dec. 26 Japan's Justice Ministry has carried out four death sentences, the first executions in Japan in 15 months.
Justice Minister Jinen Nagase's approval sent Yoshimitsu Akiyama, 77, Yoshio Fujinami, 75, Michio Fukuoka, 64, and Hiroaki Hidaka, 44, to the gallows on Monday, The Japan Times reported.
The hangings were the first since September 2005, and also the first time more than three inmates were sent to the gallows since August 1997.
Akiyama was sentenced to death for the 1975 slaying of the owner of a plastics processing firm in Ichikawa, while Fujinami was given sentenced for killing two relatives in March 1981.
Fukuoka strangled his wife's sister in December 1978 and killed a bar hostess who helped him kill the woman. He also killed his father-in-law in 1981.
Hidaka was hanged for strangling four women in 1996.
I am very disappointed that executions took place, said Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima. The death sentences were carried out in a rush and no prior announcements were made.
Copyright 2006 by UPI
