The three convicted murderers were hanged at separate prisons, according to a justice ministry spokesman, who declined to give further details.

Human rights groups are critical of the secrecy surrounding executions in Japan, one of the few industrialised countries to retain the death penalty.

Names of those executed are not usually published, and relatives are only told after the hangings have taken place.

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Campaigners still remain critical of Japan's continued use of the death penalty, but opinion polls suggest the policy is supported by an overwhelming majority of Japan's population.

Nine people were executed in Japan in 2007. Friday's three executions are the first this year.

(BBC)

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