“The Japanese authorities should be ashamed of the barbaric treatment Hakamada has received.”
Nonetheless, Hideko Hakamada, 81, who devoted more than half of her life to the legal battle on her brother's behalf, said she was happy he is finally free.
“I just want to praise him for enduring all these years,” she said, trying to hold back tears and a smile at the same time.
“Forty-seven years is an awfully long time.”