The man accused of assassinating Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pleaded guilty, three years after the shocking daylight killing that stunned the world.
Tetsuya Yamagami, who fatally shot Abe in July 2022, appeared in court this week after multiple delays, including a 2023 postponement caused by a security scare near the courthouse.
At the hearing in western Japan, Yamagami, dressed in a black T-shirt and escorted by four guards, calmly confirmed his guilt, saying, “Everything is true.”
However, his legal team indicated they plan to contest some of the secondary charges, particularly those related to arms control violations for allegedly crafting and using a homemade firearm.
The long-awaited trial has drawn attention due to questions surrounding Yamagami’s motive and mental state, especially claims of “religious abuse” during his upbringing.
The case is closely tied to the Unification Church, founded in South Korea in 1954. Yamagami reportedly harbored deep resentment toward the Church, blaming it for his family’s financial ruin after his mother donated around 100 million yen (about $1 million) as a sign of devotion.
Believing Abe had connections with the group, Yamagami allegedly targeted him for that reason. The Unification Church has repeatedly denied accusations of financial exploitation or child neglect.
The assassination triggered nationwide scrutiny of the Church’s links with Japanese conservative politicians, particularly those within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Subsequent investigations exposed widespread ties, leading to the resignation of four ministers.
In response to public outrage, the Tokyo District Court earlier this year ordered the dissolution of the Church’s Japanese branch, ruling that it had caused “unprecedented damage” to society.
Abe’s killing also jolted Japan’s image as one of the safest nations in the world, where gun violence is almost nonexistent. Police later admitted that officers at the scene failed to recognize the gunfire immediately and were slow to react.
The security lapse prompted lawmakers to pass tougher gun control measures in 2024, banning the creation or online sharing of materials related to homemade firearms. Violators now face fines or prison sentences under the new law.
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