Japan carried out its first execution in a year today of a man convicted of murdering three people, including a mother and her child.
The Justice Ministry announced the hanging but, in keeping with protocol, did not disclose the identity of the convict.
Domestic media said the person executed was Shinji Mukai (42), who was convicted of murder in 1985.
Under Japan's capital punishment system, inmates and their relatives are not told of the impending execution until the day it takes place, which human rights groups say is inhumane.
Human rights group Amnesty International said today's execution was timed to avoid debate over capital punishment.
Japan carries out several executions a year, usually when parliament is not in session, or in December when the country winds down for the New Year holidays.
The country's last hangings took place on September 18th, 2002, when two convicts were put to death.
