Justice Minister Kunio Hatoyama lodged a protest Friday over a satirical column in a newspaper that described him as "the grim reaper" for authorizing with "pride and responsibility" a record number of executions as chief of the ministry.
"I would like to sincerely protest the ill-advised writing," Hatoyama said, referring to the Soryushi regular front-page column of curt, sarcastic comments on current affairs carried by the Asahi Shimbun's Wednesday evening editions, the day after he authorized three hangings.
The column read: "Permanent executioner: Justice Minister Hatoyama. Achieving a new record by giving the go-ahead in intervals of two months, holding his chest out with pride and responsibility. Also known as the grim reaper."
Hatoyama told reporters after a Cabinet meeting, "Since it is for carrying out capital punishment, I am in no way in a calm mind set. But I have been of the opinion that no matter how harsh it may be, I have no choice but to do so to achieve social justice.
"After going through agony, I have authorized executions in line with prudent judgments of the judiciary and provisions of the law. I wonder if they were taken away by the specter of death," Hatoyama said, raising his voice at one point and banging the table.
"I would not mind at all any insult to myself but I would also think it was an insult to the people executed," he said. "Ill-advised writing, I believe, is making the world worse."
Hatoyama authorized three hangings Tuesday, raising the total number of executions he has signed off on to 13, a record for any justice minister. Before this, authorizations were given in December, February and April.