i hope no more case like this happen again

nanny, oklahoma, u.s

well done Japan, savages like these deserve to be dispatched to eternity, i only hope them little girls and all their ancesters where there to meet him when he got there. Take a life and you should forfit your own

Tony, london, uk

To those who say the death penalty is not a deterrent, how do you know surley if somebody was deterred they would not have murdered , therefore you would not know if they were deterred simply because they did not murder in the first place.Personally i dont think the deterrent argument is valid at al

Tony, london, uk

Please give us justice in the UK and bring it back

Tony, london, uk

We just accept and obey the Japanese own law. Justice has been done, that's it.

Daichi, Tokyo, Japan

If this were to happen in the UK, he would have been sentenced to "LIFE" (maybe 7 years) and then be back out on the streets to eat another little 4 year old. That's just how we roll here. We like to put people in the "naughty chair" when they kill/rape/eat people.

Bobby, London, UK

How can anyone in the US support a system so flawed that if you are poor or African American you are more likely to be executed. The death penalty is on the decline and it is time that those ignorant enough to support it come to accept this. This man had to be punished but this was not the right way

Keira D'arcy, baltimore, ireland

The question shouldn't be why did they kill him but why would anyone want to keep him alive? By doing something so heinous he has forfeited his right to life. Call me old fashioned but surely he gave up claim to being part of the human race the moment he ate a human.

Laura, Milton Keynes, Bucks

TO Sarah, London:
What is society suppossed to do? Knock on every door and perform psychological testing to deem if whether or not a person is insane? If you were one of those little girls- or their family- being raped, mutilated, murdered, eaten - I am sure then you would consider him a monster.

Tracy , Jacksonville, USA

This man raped young girls, murdered them, ate them, and then slept next to a decapitating corpse and you Sarah from London say that this man was mistreated for not being taken into care. Society is to kind to the people who dont deserve it. He deservs the punishment, if anything he got of lightly

Ash, Essex, Uk

Sarah , London, UK wrote:

"Calling this guy a monster is a very conveinent way for society to clear its conscience. The crimes were horrific but demonising him and giving the death penalty simply covers the fact that he should have been treated before any crime had been committed, he was obviously ill - how was this missed?"

Because the events took place in the real world?

James, Nottingham, UK

Sarah , London, UK : If abducting, raping, murdering, and eating little girls doesn't make one a monster, then, truly, I don't know what does.

Evan, Cleveland, USA

Japan has got it right. At least he will never be let out for good behaviour totally rehabilitated, to do the exact things again! This country should pay attention, get tough on crime, harsh deterrents mean exactly that. Crime does not pay, the criminals punished, and law abiding citizens protected

Chris, Birmingham,

i dont think DP deters people from committing crimes.some killers said they killed others, so that they will have DP and dont need to live suffering anymore.from 2000to2007 the number of homicidal murderes declining from 732 to 517, however the number of DP sentenced most in 2006.

kanzo, kyoto , japan

I can't believe people are calling for Public Executions...it's 2008 for God's sake !!! Capital punishment is not a proven deterrent to the criminal community (look at the USA). State Appointed Execution...let's call it by it's correct name...State Appointed Murder. What's the difference?

craig, Glasgow, UK

Human rights actually should call themselves inhuman rights

Rohit, Manchester, United Kingdom

RE John Marshall and relinquishing the right to live. Perhaps you have a point here in that the concept of outlawry needs to be reinvigorated. Could we condone the concept that ones actions place one beyond the control of the law and that consequently one is beyond the protection of the law? I Would

Dan Sweeney, Belfast, antrim

I certainly don't mourn the mans passing, but I still find the state sanctioned act of killing someone equally detestable. Noone should have the power to decide whether anyone has the right to live or die.

Nicholas Apleton, Birmingham, England

OMG! Everytime there is an execution issue on this site the Yanks go absolutely crazy! Its like they can already taste the blood... To all those who say "execute him so the Lord can deal with him- what religion are you following? No one has the right to take a man's life according to the Bible...

Dom, Leeds,

I am not religious or a "liberal" but I do not belive that I or you have the right to take any man's life away no matter...

Dom, Leeds,

The problem these days with the "justice" system is that it no longer provides a punishment because human rights nobheads insist that every prisoner needs to be treated as a human. I believe they should be made to suffer for what they have done...

Dom, Leeds,

I am against the death penalty but the idea that a man who rapes 4-7 year old and then eats/drinks the bodies after killing them can be cured after 15 years seems a too idealistic. Life in prison and solititude seems perfectly correct for justice to be served. The law is about justice not help.

Joseph Grigoletti, Québec, Canada

Pity we don't hang them here any more !!!!!

ian payne, walsall,

Unless you could look a man in the eye, be 100% certain he was guilty and kill him dead then you shouldn't be supporting capital punishment. I know there's a lot of bravado on the internet, but I don't think any of you could do it. It hasn't affected this man's behaviour and it won't others like him

Ken, London,

Two wrongs don't make a right. A worse penalty would have been for Miyazaki to have rotted in a filthy Japanese prison for another 50 years.

Alan Smith , Tryon NC, USA

Even as a Texan, I don't really agree with the death penalty. However, Japan got it right with this guy.

KJ, Houston, Texas

Call me right-wing, but I sometimes wonder if a death penalty on its own is enough to deter such criminals.

Dave, Leicester, UK

Richard Gagen - this man was in prison for two decades so I doubt that 15-20 years "rehabilitation" would have rendered him eligible to live in a normal society again. I bet you wouldn't be happy if the Probation Service housed someone like him next door to you. Bring back capital punishment NOW!

Kate, N. Wales,

Anyone that thinks a sexual child predatory killer is sick and can be rehabilitated is misinformed. They have elements of Mental illnes but basically they are just plain Evil and should be eliminated. Japan should be congratulated not chastised for doing the right and necessary thing. Good riddance

Jim M, Felton, Delaware, USA

Public hangings would definitely serve as a deterrent to current and future criminals.

Craig, Charlotte, NC, usa

Sarah of London, that reminds me of a new technique for treating hidious deseases such as cancer. It is to be counselled until it becomes a harmless part of the body.

Sean, Brisbane, Australia

Labour & Gordon Brown should take some learnings from the Japanese legal system & potentially could raise their popularity & vote bank which they would be seriously desperate for, by offsetting the cost of harbouring such crminals in UK prisons against its enormous tax reserves collected from people

Rohit, Manchester, United Kingdom

Thew only problem with the death penalty is that it's not used enough. Even the US with its thousands of murders a year only executes a couple of dozen. With those odds, its no deterrent at all.

Start executing lots more, at a quicker pace, in public. Live on TV too. Then we'll see an impact.

James, London,

I believe if the death penalty was brought back to Britain crime rates might lower and there would be less stabbings and shootings as the 'killers' would be too afriad incase they ended up dead themselves.

Thompson, tyne and wear, United Kingdom

Interesting to see most that are feverishly pro-death penalty are Americans, I'm pleased I don't share a country with people that are so pro-death.

alex c, bristol, uk

I do not understand how anybody could have a problem with this execution. The idea that it is a compromise of morality to kill somebody like this is, in my view, ridiculous. When he committed his crimes he relinquished his right to live. I agree with others who say it is a shame it took so long.

John Marshall, Beijing, China

We also have the death penalty here in Botswana, and bravo for that! Our crime rate is low, and criminals know, they will "hang by the neck" for murder. No humane method for murderers. It's a great deterrent. Crime shot up in South Africa the moment they removed the death penalty!

Lesego, Francistown, BOTSWANA

When he was killing little girls and eating them he was being quite secretive about it, Maybe that was why 'they' missed it. As for using the death penalty the clue is in the title, Death for ending your life and penalty for punishment whether they are sane or otherwise shouldn't matter.

Martin, Oldham, England

Calling this guy a monster is a very conveinent way for society to clear its conscience. The crimes were horrific but demonising him and giving the death penalty simply covers the fact that he should have been treated before any crime had been committed, he was obviously ill - how was this missed?

Sarah , London, UK

I would be for capital punishment were it possible to prove that someone is 100 % guilty and that they were 100 % mentally stable at the time they commited their crime. However, when is that the case? Certainly not here. Prison is bad enough, taking away their right to life is irreversible.

Amy, Joetsu, Japan

absolute punishment? I think someone else will take care of that. And the result might surprise you.

ron, san antonio, usa

So much subtle bias in articles like this. One example:

>the question of how far ordinary Japanese will be
>happy to sentence criminals to death has yet to be
>resolved

Nice. So citizens are all "happy" to sentence criminals to death? I'm not "happy" to pay my bills, but it has to be done.

Kyle Clark, Tulsa,

Kill a few and they hang you.

kill thousands or millions they make
a hero of you. (for example, Bush, Cheney,
Ariel Sharon, as well as numerous
other prime ministers of Israel).

David Jones, Los Angeles, USA

A new study, highlighted in an article titled “Does Death Penalty Save Lives? A New Debate,” has death penalty abolitionists questioning themselves. It proves that for every one person put to death, 3 to 18 murders are prevented. If you support saving lives than you must support the death penalty.

John, Trumbull, U.S.

Richard Gagen, Newcastle

I find your comment just as outrageous Richard. "With 10-15 years of rehabilitation" - yes, and who will pay for this? Oh yes, us, the taxpayer! I don't know about you, but I definitely don't want my money put into MAYBE turning a child rapist and killer back 'to normal'.

Howard, Manchester,

The undeniable fact: The death penalty 100% guaranteed that this monster will never kill again.

Allen, NJ, USA

If the ultimate purpose of murdering a criminal is it to make society a "safer" place, I think the U.S. is a perfect example of a pro-death penalty society that may not be any safer off because of it.

Rob, Los Angeles, USA

"We need to help Amnesty International and work to ban the death penalty and protect human rights."

He gave up the right to be human as soon as he abducted the first girl.

Howard, Manchester,

The death penalty prevents repeat offences.

irwin evans, woodmere, usa

Here's the difference between murder and capital punishment: his victims did nothing to deserve their torture and murder, and he did it for his own perverse personal satisfaction. Society executed him BECAUSE OF HIS EVIL DEEDS. Executions do not "CAUSE" people to commit murder.

Cynthia, Florida, USA

Iain, your logic is deeply flawed. Don't we 'kidnap' (put into prison) kidnappers? Maybe if we just let all kidnappers go free they wouldn't feel compelled to kidnap another person...

Illustrating absurdity with absurdity!

Sanjay, Long Beach, USA

I can understand how people can be disgusted by ones actions, but in this particular case, with there being ANY doubt of this man's sanity the death penalty should have taken off the table until a unified conclusion was made.

Furtheron, what gives me the right to take another man's life?

Kerrick, Georgia, USA

The death penalty is not an effective deterrent. Sudies show that countries that retain it have proportionally higher rates of crime. it is wrong of us as a society to commit the same crime as those who are guilty of murder by executing them. Life imprisonment must mean LIFE and nothing else.

Keira D'arcy, baltimore, ireland

There is no correlation one way or the other between nations with the death penalty and reduced levels of crime. Justify your views in other ways by all means.

And as for Jean Charles de Menezes, the fact the world knows his name is testamount to how rare such incidents are in the UK.

DW, Beijing, China

Hard cases make bad law! Everyone can point to a case like this to justify the death penalty. These type of cases represent about 1% of all capital murder cases. There are 120 people in the USA who have been put to death by the state that were later found to be 100% INNOCENT.

LUCY, Toronto,

The anti-DP crowd is real furious at this since Japan and the US are the LAST of the Civilized countires to have the DP and USE it. Too bad for the ACLU - the DP is here to stay in the US and Japan get used to it. All your legal wrangling only delay the inevitable - liberal judges take note.

Dean O, wash dc, usa

An eye for an eye, a tooth fo a tooth.... I am totally against the death penalty, even though I know I might demand it if a relative of mine was murdered. I don't see this as a contradiction though.

Henry, Hong Kong, China

If preying on children isn't enough to warrant the death penalty - what is?

John, Sacramento CA, USA

Although its impossible to know if the death penalty prevents murder, Miyazaki hanging was far more humane then the terror those girls experienced prior to their death. These girls relatives no longer have to live on the same planet as Miyazaki thats reason enough to support capital punishment.

Laurence Wagman, New York, United States

It's so very simple, and has nothing to do with justice or injustice, or vengence, or "closure".
This person is dead for the same reasons you would fill a dangerous pothole.
Public safety.
He will NEVER do it again.
So be it.

millard, santa barbara,

Justice was finally served when this creature was hanged. Truly civilized nations demand justice for the victims of heinous crimes.

Tom, Chicago, USA

Well done Japan! People like Miyazaki deserve nothing less than a swift execution. I am pleased to see that Japan understands what we do too in the US - some criminals are beyond human redemption.

Andre, Portland, USA

The punishment should fit the crime. It seems just to me.

Natalie, Pineville, Louisiana

To Frank of Worthing:
I wonder if you would be feeling so forgiving if it was one of your children that this monster had defiled and then desecrated? Perhaps you wouldn't mind a gentleman of his ilk "undertaking treatments and long period of surveillance" living next door to you.

Robert, London, UK

The problem, Boris, is that not everybody convicted of these crimes is actually guilty of them. Until such time as that can be guaranteed, the death penalty cannot be an acceptable punishment.

Andrew, Zurich,

Colin No perhaps the measure of a country is how it upholds the safety and values the lives of its innocent people.
The well being of a mass murderer should just stop being so important. Lets face it if one kills himself or is killed by an inmate we don't weep many tears.

Peter, York, UK

JimY of Hampton, USA said: "It's called the death "Penalty", not a death "revenge", and if you earn it, you deserve it. They should be hung in the city square, televised and all children over 8 should be made to watch. That will make them think twice about the value of life."

North Korea does.

Gerrit, Indianapolis, USA

To Colin.. It's not society's fault that there are monsters. Monsters exist because some people are wired wrong. They get all stabby through no fault of yours, mine or the greater collective. Should they die? I think some should, but I think it's used too freely in some places.

Sam, Virginia, USA

In response to Colin, Wokingham, UK, remember that while a society may have produced the killer, the killer made the choice to kill.
You are using the 'same verb' fallacy here, as well. Saying it is the same for a murderer to murder as the state to execute a convicted murderer is flacid logic.

Aaron Velasquez, Albuquerque, USA

Death penalty has also an educational value. It sends a message: do it and this will happen to you. Europe needs it, Britain needs it Too many crimes go unpunished. Those who prey on young old or frail should receive no suspended sentences, no appeals and no bails. Those are most appalling of crimes

Boris Poliakov, Chelmsford, UK

There appears to be a lot of people in favour for death penlty, but should he have not been given a second chance. Maybe undergoing treatments and long period of survillance. Because that would just promate executions and China would say it is a good thing.

Frank, worthing,

He should have had head of the line for the deaths of children.

Robert Eshbaugh, Evansville, Indiana

It's time to step back in time. In war, take no prisoners. For killers of this ilk, execution should be immediate, once proven. Too much time and money is wasted housing and extending the lives of human debris.

Gene Stevens, Evansville, USA

Why should the state have kept this horrendous creature alive...the people would have had to pay for his clothing, food, and shelter in prison. One less monster in the world is what I say. I wouldn't harm a flea - - but I would have felt no remorse hanging him myself.
Let the Lord deal with him.

Emily, MArlborough,

Make it quick, make it painless, and be absolutely certain of guilt.

But by all means, put people people who murder children to death.

BC, San Francisco, United States

I can't believe it took so many years before Miyazaki got executed. I can still recall the days when I watched the breaking news of this horrific and gruesome crime he committed. Anyone who thinks that a person like Tsutomu Miyazaki didn't deserve the death penalty are monsters themselves.

Jason, Hawaii, USA

Here in Texas, we lead the USA in putting killers to death. As a Christian, I struggle with whether what we do is moral/right/just. I sleep better at night knowing killers are cold and dead instead of preying on us. Will God have mercy on our souls if we show none for them?

steven galindo, houston, tx, usa

What if a maniac like this guy did that to your daughter? What if he did that, and then drew cartoons and played in court carelessly. Would you want him to live or die? Some are just maniacs, and don't deserve the benefit of life anymore. We gave them that chance and they blew it. Cest la vive.

Jesse, Austin, USA

In response to Roy, Madison, WI, USA, if it is unlawful for an individual to take a life then it is unlawful for a State to take a life.

One measure of a civilised society is how it treats its criminals since it is that society which produced the criminal.

Colin, Wokingham, UK

It's called the death "Penalty", not a death "revenge", and if you earn it, you deserve it. They should be hung in the city square, televised and all children over 8 should be made to watch. That will make them think twice about the value of life.

JimY, Hampton, USA

In uncivilized nations the death penalty is only applied to those who resist the authority of the state, Jean Charles de Menezes being a perfect example.

In civilized nations, like Japan, or parts of the United States, the death penalty is also applied to those who murder little girls.

Dave Surls, Canyon,CA, USA

It’s called the death penalty; not the death deterrent.

Roman Rivet, Haffia,

One thing can't be debated: The recidivism rate for those who've received the death penalty is ZERO.

Why should society have to pay to keep alive someone who should have his earth privileges revoked? Better to spend that money on law abiding people.

Hooray for Japan.....

Roy, Madison, WI, USA

The death penalty should not be taken lightly, however, if a dog mauls of kills a person then the dog is euthanised. The death penalty is an absolute guaranty of zero recidivism. We cannot warehouse the wicked indefinitely - that is truly cruel.

Alex, Nashville, USA

Comments debating a death penalty; not one for Miyazaki’s right to slaughter children.

Are we not men? Do we not have God-given ability to devise & effect evil tortures for the painfully terrifying deaths of our fellow human beings?

Indeed – this is what sets us apart from the animals.

Yamato Kwaidan, Machida, Kanagawa, Japan

It is perhaps better to think of execution for crimes of such depravity, when lives are taken in a cruel and inhuman way, as a means of removing a malignant cancer from society rather than punishment . Cancers cannot be rehabilitated, nor should they be preserved. They must be excised.

Bill Q, Derby,

The admonishment "Thou shalt not kill" was originally translated from "Thou shalt not shed innocent blood". That shifts the debate significantly. Why should any society be forced into the burden of supporting the life of an individual who has comitted heinous behavior against that same society?

Bernie, Ventura,

Well said, Taz. Once convicted, monsters like that should be taken away and have someone put a bullet in his head. Rehabilitation doesn't work. Counseling doesn't work. Incarceration doesn't work. Once a murdering pedophile, always a murdering pedophile.

Travis, Houston,

There has never been a large study of what does help the victims families. It may well be that executing the murderer does relieve some of them sometimes. It is also very very expensive to keep someone locked up for the rest of their natural lives.There are better uses for the money.

Tony, Sheffield, UK

Richard Gagen: OK, you go ahead and live next to this guy with your family after he's been reintroduced to society. How well would you sleep with a child rapist/killer/cannibal living on your block?

Even IF a psycho like this completely reforms, he should never be let out of prison.

Joe, Portland, USA

I can feel it everywhere
Feel it up above
Feel the tension in the air
There is too much blood

Mick, Leeds, UK

I wish pedophiles all over the world faced the death penalty. Children are the future and their youthful innocence must be protected until a proper age. Also, I had no idea that the English felt so strongly about the death penalty.

Josh, Texas, USA

Good for the Japanese. They should have it on Pay per View. Too bad he got to live so long filing appeals while those children's were taken so young.

Kevin, New York, USA

The death penalty is a natural punishment for the crime committed. In the UK we unfortunately have too many "soft do-gooders" in charge who don't have the back bone to understand this.
FACT: Once a monster, always a monster. They should be eliminated from the gene pool.

Taz, Hants, England

Nobody denies this guy deserved to die. The problem with executions is that it causes a spike in the murder rate: people who are on the edge of sanity feel justified to carry out a killing since see the state following the same reasoning. This a complexity which most debaters can't seem to grasp.

iain , bedford, uk

People who murder others are firm believers in the death penalty and use it, so why not use it on them? Some people don't deserve to live amongst decent society.

Marcella Smith, Ohio, U.S.A.

The death penalty upholds the SANCTITY of the law, MC. The law must have proportionate consequences for its breach. It also protects the public and fulfills its will, which is the basis for any government action in the first place. Plus, the protection and care of such a man by taxes is an insult.

Rich, Springfield, USA

I don't see how anyone could oppose the capital punishment for a monster such as this? It is not about deterrence, it is about absolute punishment. He certainly got a merciful end; unlilke his victims.

Thomas, Medfield, USA

hanging is an effective method of getting the attention of murderers....and this guy definately deserves it. the lethal injection is much too gentle for the misery and horror
caused by some of these people.

Beverly D, Newalla, OK, USA

No consideration is given to the damage to the family of the victims. The death penalty is handed down far too few times in cases where monsters brutalize children.

I also feel that public hangings would be an object lession in punishment.

John (Brit exp pat), Phoenix, USA

The death penalty is ridiculous. How does a state-sponsored murder bring "justice" to the families of those killed? Call it "revenge" but don't call it "justice."

A worse punishment, anyway, is life in prison. Let 'em rot. Putting them to death is just a "get out of jail free" card.

MC, Wichita, Kansas, USA

The timing of the execution to bring closure for the families needs to be swift to avoid having the families endure secondary suffering knowing this monster lived for two decades. It is a shallow end to such an atrocity.

Geogib, Easton, Maryland, USA

Good job Japan, that creep deserved execution with extreme prejudice.

lagonzal, San Benito, usa

It might be interesting to ask the Japanese people how uncomfortable they feel with the death sentence since it's re-introduction. Feelings of guilt , etc.
Also Pat in Philly is quite right , when faced with with undeniable evidence, the biggest crime is the length of time to get them to the rope.

Nick Dixon, Sutton Coldfield, England

We should treat the execution of monsters as the moral equivalent of flushing a toilet. There are some things (a people of the same lack of worth) that you just do not want to keep around.

Arthur Downs, Camden-Wyoming DE, USA

This is an outrage! The death penalty needs to be abolished everwhere. With 10-15 years of rehabilitation this man could've been brought back as a decent member of society.

We need to help Amnesty International and work to ban the death penalty and protect human rights.

Richard Gagen, Newcastle, UK

A punishment well deserved. Its a shame it takes so long to execute.

PatM, Philadelphia, PA

I think that it's fair to say that the death penalty vote will never be put in front of the UK population because it would be massively supported. Not palatible to the mealy mouthed weasly politicians we have unfortunately bred here. It's about time we had a campaign to bring it back.

Mark Chisholm, Dereham, UK

The first political party to decide to bring in the Death Penalty in the UK..will get in. We're fed up to the back teeth of the soft approach in this country.

kirk, Rotherham, UK

I agree with R. Moore. The tragedy is not that they executed a child molesting murderer but is that it took so long to do it. In cases like this where there is not reasonable doubt of guilt there should not be so many appeals and such a delay. It simply drags out the misery of the victims families.

Tony, Danville, USA

The bottom line - the public is safer now.

Tom Davidson, Richmond, Virgina, US of A

The death penalty is a relic of past society where it was the only feasible and effective way of ensuring criminals did not re-offend and deterring others from crime.
In a society as developed as Japan's there is no place for such measures as inhumane execution. Life imprisonment is far preferrable.

Adam, Oxford,

In every case, where public debate is encouraged, the public eventually goes against the death penalty. In a conversation with a Japanese lawmaker, he said those very words to me. It is not just the fact that it has the death penalty it is the outrageous way they are carried out.

Iain, Tokyo, Japan

Some people just deserve the noose.

Fred, Orlando, USA

If we were a group of say, 100 people and were dealing with a killer in our small society, would we feed, clothe, and give medical care? I think not. Why, given the apparent luxury of being a far larger society, do we allow killers this right?

Ben, Westlake Village, United States

I find it very curious that Japan is yet without a jury option, which is a basic American right. It would be very scary to live where a judge, or he who owns the judge, has the authority to execute at will. I'd like to see an in-depth story from a Japanese perspective. Has this been an issue/abused?

Andrew, Houston, The Sovereign Unites States of America

How can anyone say that executions do not make the world safer? If one thing is certain, it's that this monster will not harm anyone else in the future. Pity he didn't suffer more.

George, Greenville, NC, USA

It may not be a deterrent, but society should be able to get rid of psychopaths such as this guy. Sadists like him are beyond recovery and, frankly, do not deserve a second chance while society pays to keep them warm and safe inside a prison.

Marcio, Brasilia, Brazil

Revenge is good. For the squeamish, consider the death penalty a retroactive abortion.

bob, miami, usa

There are two types of deterrence: specific (deterring the defendant) and general (deterring others). The death penalty is 100% effective as a specific deterrent. We should execute more people, not fewer. Only the appeals make the death penalty expensive. Solution: fewer appellate rights.

Michael, Silicon Valley, USA

Unfortunately for the optimists out there, the reality is, keeping killer's alive, health, fed and watching cable TV is not economically feasible. Do I want my tax dollars used to support murderers like this? Absolutely not. Do you want yours? Feel free to donate to the penal system if you do

Mike, Arnold, USA

Both England & America are more violent than Japan. Japan was the only country I've visited where I could walk around at Midnight, by myself, & have no concern over my personal safety.
If crimes were committed in America, he would have a nice cell where he could draw & he would receive fan mail!

Chris, Bay Area, Calif., USA

It's about time the Japanese executed this lunatic. It would be great if the United States followed their lead with our convicted homicidal prisoners.

Paul, aquebogue, united states

I agree that it's not the job of the government to be in the revenge business, however it is a commonly accepted prerequisite of government to protect its citizens. I can see no other more definitive way of protecting the citizenry than to remove the threat from existence.

Ton, Austin, USA

Monsters like this one MUST be executed. This is no revenge at all, it is real punishment and it also makes sure they will NEVER do this again if they ever leave prison.

Sergio, São Paulo, Brazil

I think solitary confinement for the rest of their lives should be given to murderers, rapists and other violent offenders. No television, reading, letters to the outside world and human contact. When they die of natural causes give their bodies to the next of kin and be done with it.

Bryan, San Antonio, USA

People like this man are monsters, and are a threat to the general populace. He kidnapped, molested and ATE children - how much more do you need? In cases such as this the death penalty doesn't work as a deterrent, it's meant to remove monsters like Miyazaki from the world.

Lin, Columbus, OH, USA

rob, are you suggesting that looking at pornography makes one a murderer? after seeing a connection between these two cases? because if you are then how do you explain the other 3 billion men on the planet who DON'T end up murdering anyone after looking at porn? why does their story remain untold?

paul, C.I., UK

The only reason it may cost more to execute is the endless, ridiculous appeals, paid for by the taxpayer. Once someone is convicted, especially if they are unrepentant and have confessed, the grounds for appeal are preposterous. Take that person, execute them and be done with it.

john, Reno,

If a bug enters my home and lands on my lunch, I immediately kill it. Should I do less with some dirtbag who enters my home and murders my children?

Kevin, Houston, TX, USA

HA! Personally, I think it entirely appropriate that Society be in the business of revenge. If my 6 year old daughter had become one of his unfortunate victims, I'd have happily pulled the lever to watch him dangle. I find it patently absurd that any society should take twenty years to kill a killer

Mike, Toms River, NJ, USA

Any society that does not have the death penalty on the books is extremely weak as it does not absolutely proscribe murder. Having it on the books would not mean it would have to be used but could for particularly sadistic or multiple murders. What we do now is sort of hope they get hold of laces

Tony, Sheffield, UK

Ever notice how people who do this kind of thing always seem to have one eye that dosen't quite line up with the other? Weird.

Eric, St. Cloud, USA

People.. look at a common varible with this guy and Charles Manson (Famous Serial Killer in the USA) the problems started from pornography. Do you home work on this and see what I am talking about. I challenge the news agency to do a story on this topic.

rob, lexington, USA

I don't have a problem with the death penalty but there are two things that would make me vote otherwise:

I've heard it costs more to execute a prisoner than life in prison.

I feel life in prison is a worse sentence than death. Were I facing life in prison I would prefer death, the easy way out.

Tim, Los Angeles, USA

Society should not be in the business of revenge, it should be engaged in making it a better, more humane place for all. So far as I'm aware, the evidence is that killing the killers does not make any one safer. Neither does it make economic sense. It may, however, make us all a bit more barbaric.

Robin, Madison, USA

I think its scary the amount of people wanting the death penalty back in Britain. What about those falsely convicted? I dont think anyone has the right to judge who lives and who dies, it makes us as bad as the murderers being sentenced.

ines, paris, France

does anyone REALLY think that this guy EVER considered the death penalty prior to or during his crimes? Do you REALLY think anyone capable of this type of crime would hesitate? While I will agree that while it may be the proper punishment, it is not and never will be any kind of deterrent.

Mike, Minneapolis, MN

who says that 1st world countrys cant use 3rd world methods of punishment, I think its great that they hanged this sicko its puts everyones mind at rest knowing he wont come back in the future.

Unlike the UK where he would have been back out on the streets within a few years.

James, Dunstable, England

I heard some British MPs admit the other day that popular opinion favors bringing back the death penalty in the UK, but that it was up to them to keep it from coming back because they know better. I wonder. The real possibility of hanging would certainly make some criminals think twice.

Ryan, St. Paul, USA

Death penalty is the "reward" for those who earned it. Appropriate punishment since torture is not allowed.

John, Los Angeles, USA

Remove these vermin from our midst. Some people do not deserve to live. He is but one of many. The world should hold a mass execution of all convicted murderers on death row. Good riddance to them all. No mercy.

B. Kelly, Philadelphia, usa

The death penalty is the most effective and humane way to take care of these types of murders. If people want them saved, have them come live in their own homes. It's easier to comment from afar then to deal with such animalistic behavior in person. Good riddance to bad rubbish I say.

Ryan, Idaho, USA

At least in some places justice is done. All the do goodies may complain and criticise, but what about the little girls? He deserves to die for his acts. He is responsible and he should be punished. This idea of stripping responsibility and blaming society, family etc etc is ludicrous.

john Morgan, old Stratford, UK

I feel there are instances where the death penalty should be used. Many children would not have suffered at the hands of paedophiles if the punishment were death. I do not think it's a decision that should be taken lightly but i do believe that there has to be ultimate punishment for certain crimes.

Kelly , London, England

Any society has an absolute obligation to protect itself from these sorts of monsters. The only guarantee for safety for his crime is death. Especially for the fears of the victims families.

Phil, Portland,OR, USA

I love that Japan, the most tech-obsessed society in the world, uses a totally retro method of execution.

Chris, Washington, DC,

Good riddance, but a pity it took so long.

R. Moore, Canton, USA