Japan Reveals Its Execution Room For The First Time [Execution]

This stark, almost peaceful looking room is truly Japan’s execution room. The ring on top holds the noose, the red square outlines the trapdoor and this can be the first time Japan has ever shown these rooms off.

Much of Japan’s execution process has been shrouded in mystery. Of course, when local news outlets were previously taken to these execution sites (seven exist inside the country), they were transported in a bus with closed curtains to keep the position a secret. Inside the first viewing of these execution rooms, the NY Times describes Japan’s execution process:

The journalists were led during the chambers, one after the other: a chapel with a Buddhist altar where the condemned are read their last rites; a small room, also with a Buddha statue, where a prison warden officially orders the execution; the execution room, with a pulley and rings for the rope and a trapdoor where the condemned inmate stands; and the viewing room where officials witness the hanging.

The inmate is handcuffed and blindfolded before entering the execution room, officials said. Three prison wardens push separate buttons, only 1 of which releases the trapdoor – but they never find out which one. Wardens are given a bonus of about $230 anytime they attend an execution.

All executions in Japan are done by hanging and apparently out of the countries who make up the G8 , the usa and Japan are the only real countries who still enforce capital punishment. [ NY Times ]

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