Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has confessed in court, bringing into focus the enduring political and social repercussions of the killing, particularly its links to the Unification Church.
Yamagami stated his deep resentment towards Abe stemmed from the former prime minister’s perceived ties to the Unification Church, which he blamed for financially ruining his family. His mother reportedly donated over $675,000 USD (approximately 100 million Japanese yen) to the church, leading to the family’s bankruptcy.
The assassination, which occurred nearly two years ago, prompted widespread investigations, revealing extensive connections between the Unification Church and numerous conservative politicians within Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). This exposure led to the resignation of four government ministers.
A Tokyo District Court earlier this year ordered the dissolution of the church’s Japan branch, citing “unprecedented damage” to society. The Unification Church, founded in South Korea in 1954, has faced accusations of child neglect and financial exploitation from its members, allegations it denies.
Yamagami, 45, made his admission in a Nara courtroom, confirming the charges related to the July 2022 killing of Japan’s longest-serving leader. He was escorted by security and spoke softly when answering the judge.
While Yamagami confessed, his lawyer plans to contest some charges, including the alleged violation of firearms law for using a homemade weapon. The defense is expected to highlight alleged “religious abuse” Yamagami experienced in childhood.
The assassination also served as a critical wake-up call for Japan, a nation known for its exceptionally strict gun control laws. Police reports indicated security personnel initially failed to distinguish the first shot, delaying aid to Abe.
In response, Japanese parliament passed stricter gun control legislation in 2024. The new laws target homemade weapons and criminalize the online dissemination of gun-making instructions and sales information.