[Myrddin]

I recall hearing the Japanese hanging method is an 18 inch drop. Not enough to break the neck. Dangle and strangle.

[nuconvert]

“I recall hearing the Japanese hanging method is an 18 inch drop. “

Still beats Iran - lifting you off the ground by crane, having you stand on a bus or truck and having it drive out from under you, etc.

[Vigilanteman]

Smells like BS. The Japanese are no slouches when it comes to precision engineering.

There is a picture posted here of an open trap door in a modern Japanese prison gallows. It appears to be considerably more than 18 inches. I won't reproduce it since it is an AP link.

[cynwoody]

I recall hearing the Japanese hanging method is an 18 inch drop. Not enough to break the neck. Dangle and strangle.

In Iraq, they err in the opposite direction. Reportedly, Saddam's half brother became two quarter brothers as a result of a miscalculated drop.