The Japanese court is preparing to deliver its verdict in the case of 45-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, who confessed to shooting and killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during an outdoor campaign event in Nara on 8 July 2022. The case leaves little doubt about guilt, as the defendant admitted responsibility from the very first day of the trial in October 2025. Meanwhile, the defense attorney pleaded for mercy, citing Yamagami’s motive as resentment toward the "Unification Church," which devastated his family.
Today (21 Jan), the Japanese court will announce its verdict in the trial of 45-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, who confessed to assassinating Shinzo Abe, one of Japan’s most influential former prime ministers, in July 2022. This case is not only a shocking crime but also exposes the scandalous ties between high-ranking politicians and religious sects.
At the first hearing in October 2025, Yamagami admitted, "Everything is true; I did it myself." He used a homemade gun constructed from a metal pipe and tape to fire two shots at Abe while he was delivering a campaign speech in Nara.
Yamagami’s motive sparked widespread debate in Japanese society. The defense lawyer described him as a "victim of religious abuse," revealing that his mother donated over 100 million yen (about 20 million baht) to the "Unification Church," also known as the Moon sect, leading to the family’s bankruptcy, including the life insurance money of his father.
Yamagami stated his anger was directed at Abe after seeing a video in which Abe expressed support for the church’s activities, although he admitted his initial target was the church’s senior leadership.
Eito Suzuki, a reporter covering the case, described a deeply sorrowful atmosphere in court, especially when Abe’s widow, Akie Abe, heard testimony suggesting her husband may have been merely a "tool" in a revenge against the religious sect. She emotionally told the court, "The grief from losing my husband will never fade... I just want him to have lived."
Meanwhile, Yamagami’s sister testified as a defense witness, recounting the hardships their family endured due to their mother’s obsession with the sect, deeply moving those attending the trial.
The prosecution is seeking a life sentence, emphasizing that the act was brutal and shattered the peace of a country with strict gun control laws like Japan. The defense requests a sentence of no more than 20 years, asking the court to consider the social environment and personal tragedy that shaped the defendant’s actions.
Rin Ushiyama, a sociologist from Queen’s University Belfast, commented that public sympathy for Yamagami stems from widespread frustration in Japan with religious sects pressuring people for donations. However, "victimhood" cannot be used to justify committing such a serious crime.
The case’s conclusion will be a crucial test for Japan’s justice system in balancing a clear criminal offense against a bitter background reflecting deep social problems.
. BBC