Context:

Takahiro Shiraishi, known as the 'Twitter killer', was executed in Japan for the murder of nine individuals in 2017, marking the country's first execution since 2022. Shiraishi used social media to connect with his victims, most of whom were young women, under the pretense of assisting them with suicide, before luring them to his apartment where he killed and dismembered them. The discovery of body parts in his residence in Zama, near Tokyo, led to his arrest and subsequent trial, where he admitted to the murders but refuted claims that his victims consented to their deaths. His case sparked significant public outcry and a debate on the ethics of discussing suicide on social media, leading Twitter to revise its policies on promoting self-harm. The execution and the gruesome nature of the crimes have left a lasting impact on Japanese society and prompted discussions around mental health support and social media regulation.

Dive Deeper:

• Takahiro Shiraishi, dubbed the 'Twitter killer', was executed for murdering nine people in 2017, utilizing social media to contact his victims who were mostly young women aged between 15 and 26.

• Shiraishi lured his victims by offering to assist them with suicide, later strangling and dismembering them in his apartment, which was discovered by police in October 2017 when they found body parts while searching for a missing person.

• During his trial, Shiraishi confessed to the murders but contradicted his defense team's claim that the killings were consensual, stating he acted without the victims' consent.

• The media coverage and public reaction to the case sparked a broader conversation in Japan about suicide and mental health, and Twitter modified its rules to prohibit content that promotes or encourages suicide and self-harm.

• Hundreds attended Shiraishi's verdict hearing in December 2020, where he was sentenced to death, reflecting the high public interest and the shocking nature of his crimes.

• The execution has reignited discussions on capital punishment in Japan, as it was the first since 2022, and highlighted the need for better mental health resources and stricter online regulations to prevent similar occurrences.

• The case has left a deep imprint on Japanese society, prompting introspection about the role of social media in mental health crises and the ethical considerations of discussing sensitive topics online.