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Japan executes death row inmates Japan executes death row inmates
(8 minutes later)
Japan has executed three death row inmates convicted of murder - the country's first hangings in six months.Japan has executed three death row inmates convicted of murder - the country's first hangings in six months.
One killed two women; another used the internet to find victims considering suicide; the third was from China and killed three Chinese people.One killed two women; another used the internet to find victims considering suicide; the third was from China and killed three Chinese people.
The executions are the first under a new system that combines citizens and professional judges to together decide on serious criminal cases.The executions are the first under a new system that combines citizens and professional judges to together decide on serious criminal cases.
Japan and the US are the only developed nations to apply the death penalty. Japan's previous executions were carried out in January.
Japan's previous executions were carried out in January, when four convicted murderers were hanged.
The latest convicts to be executed were Japanese nationals Hiroshi Maeue, 40, and Yukio Yamaji, 25, and 41-year-old Chinese national Chen Detong.The latest convicts to be executed were Japanese nationals Hiroshi Maeue, 40, and Yukio Yamaji, 25, and 41-year-old Chinese national Chen Detong.
Maeue, executed in Osaka, killed three people in 2005 after he met them through an internet website for people planning to commit suicide.Maeue, executed in Osaka, killed three people in 2005 after he met them through an internet website for people planning to commit suicide.
Yamaji, also executed in Osaka, raped and then stabbed to death two sisters in 2005.Yamaji, also executed in Osaka, raped and then stabbed to death two sisters in 2005.
Chen was executed in Tokyo for killing three of his compatriots and injuring three more in Kawasaki, southwest of Tokyo, in 1999.Chen was executed in Tokyo for killing three of his compatriots and injuring three more in Kawasaki, southwest of Tokyo, in 1999.
The death penalty receives widespread support in Japan, but the executions are regularly criticised by the European Union and anti-death penalty campaign groups.The death penalty receives widespread support in Japan, but the executions are regularly criticised by the European Union and anti-death penalty campaign groups.