Man Pleads Guilty Over Assassination of Former Japanese Premier
Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in Tokyo stating to the court that “everything is true,” according to local media reports.
Yamagami, 45, used a homemade gun to shoot Abe during a political campaign event in Nara in 2022. The assassination shocked Japan and the world as Abe was struck multiple times and later died in hospital the same day. The incident drew international attention and reignited discussions about gun laws and political security in Japan.
The trial revealed that Yamagami targeted Abe due to his alleged connections with the Unification Church, commonly known as the “Moonies.” Yamagami reportedly blamed the church for bankrupting his family particularly his mother who had made donations totaling approximately 100 million yen ($660,000). Investigators said Yamagami believed Abe’s association with the church was responsible for his family’s financial ruin.
During the proceedings, Yamagami explained that his motive was rooted in his anger toward the church’s influence which he claimed led to his mother’s financial hardships. His mother expected to be called as a witness has reportedly expressed that the killing has strengthened her faith, a sentiment she shared with Japanese media.
Yamagami’s lawyer argued that the homemade weapon used in the attack did not qualify as a firearm under Japan’s strict gun laws. The trial is expected to continue until January with Yamagami denying charges related to arms control violations.
The assassination prompted Japan to review and tighten its gun laws especially concerning homemade weapons. The incident also brought scrutiny to the links between Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Unification Church, leading to investigations and the disbandment of the church in March this year stripping it of its tax-exempt status.
Yamagami’s trial continues as authorities seek justice for the former Prime Minister’s death and address the complex connections implicated in this high-profile case.
