A Japanese man accused of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has admitted to the crime during the opening hearing of his trial, three years after the shocking assassination that unsettled the nation and the world.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, was arrested at the scene in July 2022 after shooting Abe with a homemade gun while the former leader was giving a campaign speech in Nara. Appearing calm and composed in court, Yamagami told judges, “It is true that I did it,” confirming his responsibility for the attack that ended the life of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister.
The trial marks a major moment in Japan’s recent political history. Abe’s assassination stunned a country known for its strict gun control laws and low crime rates. The court heard that Yamagami harbored resentment toward Abe for his perceived links to the Unification Church, a controversial religious organization founded in South Korea. According to domestic reports, Yamagami’s mother had donated approximately 100 million yen to the group, leading to his deep financial and emotional distress.
Abe’s death triggered widespread scrutiny of political ties to the Unification Church, revealing that over one hundred lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had connections to it. The revelations caused a public backlash and led to declining support for the government.
During the hearing, Yamagami’s defense argued for a reduced sentence, stating that the handmade weapon used in the shooting did not fit the legal definition of a handgun under Japan’s Firearms and Swords Control Act.
The case opened on the same day Japan’s current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with visiting former U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders paid tribute to Abe, recalling his role in strengthening U.S.–Japan relations.
The trial is expected to continue through 17 more sessions before concluding in January 2026, when the court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on January 21.
