A Japanese court has sentenced 45-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami to life in prison for fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign event in Nara three and a half years ago.
Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene in July 2022, admitted to killing Abe with a homemade firearm. Judge Shinichi Tanaka described the attack as “despicable,” calling it “an extremely dangerous and malicious crime” in a large public gathering, according to NHK.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, citing the unprecedented gravity of the crime in post-war Japan. The defence asked for a lighter sentence, pointing to Yamagami’s family hardships linked to the Unification Church, which motivated the attack.
Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, led the country for a total of 3,188 days over two terms before resigning in 2020 due to health reasons. His death left a political vacuum in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has since seen multiple leadership changes.
The trial also shed light on the LDP’s connections to the Unification Church. Yamagami told the court he resented Abe because the former prime minister had supported the church, whose donations from Yamagami’s family caused financial strain. Investigations revealed that over a hundred lawmakers had ties to the organisation, contributing to voter skepticism of the LDP.
Internationally, Abe was known for his strong relationship with US leaders, including former President Donald Trump. His protegee, Sanae Takaichi, now leads the LDP and frequently references Abe’s legacy in her diplomacy, including interactions with the United States.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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