Nagata, Hiroko, 1945-2011

Hiroko Nagata (永田 洋子, Nagata Hiroko, February 8, 1945 – February 5, 2011), sometimes mistakenly referred to as Yōko Nagata, was a Japanese leftist revolutionary and terrorist who was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. She was convicted of murdering, or participating in the murders of, fellow members of the United Red Army (URA) during a group purge in Gunma Prefecture in February 1972. During the purge, Nagata, acting as vice-chairman of the URA, directed the killing of twelve members of the group by beatings or by forced exposure to frigid winter air temperatures. A civilian who was not a member of the URA who was present during the purge was also killed. Arrested on February 16, 1972, Nagata was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for her participation in the killings. While awaiting execution, Nagata died from brain cancer on February 5, 2011, at the Tokyo Detention House.