Japan Executes Four Convicted Murderers

Japan executed four convicted murderers on Thursday, including a 32-old-man who killed four people in a robbery, the Justice Ministry said in a statement.

Shojiro Nishimoto was convicted of robbery, stabbing three people to death and choking one more with a rope, it added.

Public opinion polls have shown that most Japanese approve of the death penalty, which is carried out by hanging. But human rights groups criticise the system, in which convicts and their relatives are not informed in advance that an execution is to be carried out.

Thursday's executions follow those of two convicted murderers in October under Justice Minister Eisuke Mori, who took up the post when Taro Aso became prime minister in September.

Mori's predecessor ordered the execution of three death row inmates, while the justice minister before that ordered the execution of a record 13 convicted criminals while in office.