Shaima Khalil

In 1968, Iwao Hakamada was found guilty of killing his boss at a soybean factory, as well as the man's wife and their two teenage children. The bodies were recovered from a fire. All four had been stabbed to death. Iwao initially denied the allegations, but later gave what he came to describe as a coerced confession, following beatings and interrogations that lasted up to 12 hours a day.

Two years after his arrest, he was convicted of murder and arson and sentenced to death.

Two years after his arrest, he was convicted of murder and arson and sentenced to death.

In 2014, Iwawa was released from prison and granted a retrial. It took nearly 10 years for the retrial to begin because of lengthy legal proceedings. Then, in September, Yuwao Hakamada was declared innocent. His supporters cheered outside the court when the verdict was announced.

In 2014, Iwawa was released from prison and granted a retrial. It took nearly 10 years for the retrial to begin because of lengthy legal proceedings. Then, in September, Yuwao Hakamada was declared innocent. His supporters cheered outside the court when the verdict was announced.

In his ruling, the Shizuoka District Court presiding judge said the evidence used to incriminate Mr. Hakamada was fabricated and that the investigators added bloodstains to the clothing items and hid them in the soybean tank well after the incident took place.

In his ruling, the Shizuoka District Court presiding judge said the evidence used to incriminate Mr. Hakamada was fabricated and that the investigators added bloodstains to the clothing items and hid them in the soybean tank well after the incident took place.

A few weeks after Iwao's acquittal, the local police authorities officially apologized to him for the time he spent on death row for a crime he didn't commit. At Hakamada's home, the chief of the Shizuoka police bowed in front of Iwao. We caused you indescribable anxiety and burden. We are truly sorry. Iwao, Hideko, this is you.

A few weeks after Iwao's acquittal, the local police authorities officially apologized to him for the time he spent on death row for a crime he didn't commit. At Hakamada's home, the chief of the Shizuoka police bowed in front of Iwao. We caused you indescribable anxiety and burden. We are truly sorry. Iwao, Hideko, this is you.

As we stand at her dining table, Hideko smiles, showing me photographs of Iwao as a young man and a former professional boxer. The two are the youngest of six siblings. Ever since they were children, Hideko had always taken care of her little brother. And so it continues.

As we stand at her dining table, Hideko smiles, showing me photographs of Iwao as a young man and a former professional boxer. The two are the youngest of six siblings. Ever since they were children, Hideko had always taken care of her little brother. And so it continues.

Yuwao has a quiet life now and goes on daily outings with volunteers who help with his care. Hideko refuses to look back. And when I ask her who she blames for her brother's suffering, astonishingly, she says no one.

Yuwao has a quiet life now and goes on daily outings with volunteers who help with his care. Hideko refuses to look back. And when I ask her who she blames for her brother's suffering, astonishingly, she says no one.