Crossing Oceans to Support Each Other! Sharing Session on the Documentation of Taiwan-Japan Death Penalty Wrongful Conviction Relief
Last edited: 2026-11-03
I don't have any grand dreams. I only hope that there will never be another Hsu Tzu-chiang.
Hsu Tzu-chiang was released in 2012 upon the entry into force of the Criminal Speedy Trial Act, escaping the death row cell where he had spent 16 years. However, his case was not yet over, and it was not until 2016 that he was finally acquitted, becoming a truly free man. The trip to Japan in early November 2018 took place after A-Chiang was invited by the Embassy of France in Japan and Amnesty International Japan to travel to Tokyo and participate in events. This was also his first public overseas itinerary since his exoneration. He hoped to use this opportunity to thank the Japanese friends who had extended a helping hand to him, share his journey of clearing his name with the Japanese public, and express his hope that the world will never see another "Hsu Tzu-chiang."
The harvest from this trip to Japan was fruitful. In addition to three public lecture events, we also visited exonerated individuals of Japanese death penalty wrongful convictions as well as those currently receiving active support, and participated in a rally supporting the exoneration of wrongful convictions. At the rally, A-Chiang used his own life experience to encourage those present, passing on the support he once received to the wrongfully accused in Japan and wishing them an early exoneration.
The lecture venue will also feature the premiere of *In That Avalanche*, a profound record left by this trip to Japan. In the future, A-Chiang will continue to tirelessly raise his voice for various wrongful conviction cases!
Time
2018.12.26 (Wed.) 19:00-21:30
Location
Taipei Bar Association Conference Room
9F., No. 7, Sec. 1, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei City (Exit 4, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station)
Participants
Moderator
Huang Wei-ting
Director of JRF's Taichung Office, adjunct lecturer in the Department of Law at Providence University, and a certified Kikizake-shi (Sake Sommelier) by the Sake Service Institute
Speaker
Wu Nien-hua
Media Coordinator for JRF's Taipei Office and former news reporter. Became a JRF partner through interviewing Hsu Tzu-chiang, and currently handles media-related operations at JRF
Speaker
Hsu Tzu-chiang
Director of General Affairs for JRF's Taipei Office, defendant in the "Hsu Tzu-chiang Case", and wrongfully convicted person exonerated
Speaker
Wu Hao-jen
Atypical legal professional, columnist for "White-Eyed Tofu Bao", often sharp-tongued with a kind heart, affectionately called "Teacher Haoren" by the social movement circle. He is also a historian and political scientist, currently serving as a professor at Fu Jen Catholic University College of Law, actively speaking out on various social issues, and serves as a supervisor for JRF~
Speaker
Lin Hsin-yi
Everyone knows she is the Executive Director of the Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty (TAEDP)
Speaker
Lo Shih-hsiang
Executive Director of the Taiwan Association for Innocence (TAI), standing executive committee member and convener of the Judicial Reform Group at JRF
Schedule
| Time | Content |
| 18:30-19:00 | Check-in & Admission |
| 19:00-19:05 | Opening Remarks by the Chairperson of the Taipei Bar Association Public Interest Affairs Committee |
| 19:05-19:25 | Moderator's Remarks, Introduction of Speakers and the Origin of this Trip, and Sharing of the Cooperation Process |
| 19:25-19:40 | Premiere and Introduction of the Film *In That Avalanche* |
| 19:40-20:10 | Harvest and Observations from the Trip to Japan |
| 20:10-20:40 | Introduction to Death Penalty/Wrongful Conviction Cases in Japan |
| 20:40-21:10 | Sharing on Death Penalty/Wrongful Conviction Relief in Taiwan |
| 21:10-21:30 | Q&A |
Organizers
Public Interest Affairs Committee, Taipei Bar Association
Judicial Reform Foundation
Taiwan Alliance to End the Death Penalty
Taiwan Association for Innocence
This article is an AI-generated translation of the original Chinese text. In the event of any discrepancy, the Chinese version shall prevail.