Reprieved man, 88, thanks supporters

The world's longest-serving death row prisoner thanked his supporters for helping him achieve "complete victory" after a Japanese court last week overturned his murder conviction.

After a long fight for justice led by his sister, 88-year-old Iwao Hakamada was on Thursday declared innocent of the quadruple murder that he spent 46 years on death row for.

"Finally I have won full and complete victory," the former boxer told supporters on Sunday in Shizuoka, where the ruling was issued.

"I couldn't wait any longer" to hear the not-guilty verdict, said a smiling Hakamada, sporting a green hat.

"Thank you very much," he added, accompanied by his 91-year-old sister Hideko.