Matsumoto Kenji

Matsumoto Kenji was sentenced to death on 17 September 1993 for two separate robberies and murders in the periodbetween September 1990 and September 1991. He was charged along with his brother, Matsumoto Hiroshi, who committedsuicide after his arrest warrant was issued. The court recognized that Matsumoto Kenji had a dependent relationship with hisbrother and was not able to stand up to him. He appealed against his conviction but his case was rejected by the Osaka High Court on 21 February 1996. A subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected, and his death sentence was confirmedon 4 April 2000. He could be executed at any time.