Life Sentence for Man Who Assassinated Japan’s Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested in 2022 shortly after assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, more than three and a half years after he shot the ex-leader during a public rally in the city of Nara.

Yamagami, 45, admitted guilt at the start of his trial in October 2025. However, debates over the appropriate punishment have divided public opinion in Japan. While many view him as a cold-blooded murderer, some sympathize with the challenging circumstances of his upbringing.

Prosecutors emphasized that Yamagami deserved life imprisonment for his “grave act,” highlighting the shock that Abe’s assassination caused in a country with virtually no gun-related crime.

Meanwhile, Yamagami’s defense team pleaded for leniency, arguing that he was a victim of religious abuse. His mother’s deep involvement with the Unification Church, a controversial religious organization, had financially ruined their family. Yamagami admitted harboring resentment toward Abe after discovering the former prime minister’s ties to the church.

Nearly 700 people gathered outside the Nara district court on Wednesday to attend the sentencing hearing, reflecting the national and international attention the case drew.

Abe’s shocking murder during a political speech prompted increased scrutiny of the Unification Church and its practices, including reports of coercing members into making financially devastating donations. The case also revealed political connections between the church and Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), leading to the resignations of several cabinet ministers.

Journalist Eito Suzuki, who covered almost all of Yamagami’s hearings, described how Yamagami and his family appeared “overwhelmed with despair” throughout the trial. Suzuki noted that Yamagami projected “a sense of world-weariness and resignation” as he recounted his motives and actions.

On the first day of the trial, Yamagami solemnly admitted:
“Everything is true. There is no doubt that I did this.”

He used a homemade firearm, constructed from metal pipes and duct tape, to fire two shots at Abe during a campaign event on 8 July 2022 in Nara. The assassination of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister sent shockwaves not only across Japan but around the world.

Yamagami’s defense lawyers requested a sentence of no more than 20 years, arguing that their client’s actions were influenced by prolonged exposure to religious abuse. They explained that his mother had donated substantial assets, including his late father’s life insurance, to the Unification Church, totaling 100 million yen (S$828,750).

During his trial, Yamagami revealed that he had initially intended to target executives of the church rather than Abe himself. Journalist Suzuki recalled the disbelief on Abe’s widow, Akie’s, face when Yamagami explained that her late husband was not his primary target. Suzuki said, “Her expression remains vividly etched in my mind. It conveyed a sense of shock, as if she was asking: Was my husband merely a tool in settling a grudge against the church?”

In an emotional statement to the court, Akie Abe expressed her grief, saying that the sorrow of losing her husband “will never be relieved.” She added, “I just wanted him to stay alive.”

Founded in South Korea, the Unification Church expanded into Japan in the 1960s and forged connections with politicians to grow its influence. While Abe was not a member, he, like other politicians, occasionally attended church-related events. Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, also a former prime minister, was reportedly close to the church due to its anti-communist stance.

In March 2025, a Tokyo court revoked the Unification Church’s religious corporation status, ruling that it coerced followers into purchasing expensive items by exploiting their spiritual fears. The organization has also faced criticism for hosting mass wedding ceremonies involving thousands of couples.

Yamagami’s sister testified during the trial about the extreme hardships the family faced due to their mother’s devotion to the church. Suzuki recalled the emotional impact of her testimony: “It was intensely moving. Nearly everyone in the gallery was visibly affected and crying.”

Despite these circumstances, prosecutors argued that there was a leap in logic connecting Yamagami’s resentment toward the church to his attack on Abe. Judges questioned why he directed his grievances at the former prime minister instead of the church, highlighting the complexity of the defense.

Observers remain divided over whether personal tragedies justify a reduced sentence. Suzuki emphasized that while Yamagami’s actions were influenced by social problems, Abe did not directly harm him or his family, leaving room for debate about culpability.

Sociologist Rin Ushiyama from Queen’s University Belfast explained that sympathy for Yamagami stems from widespread distrust of controversial religious groups like the Unification Church. She noted, “Yamagami was certainly a victim of parental neglect and economic hardship caused by the church, but this does not explain or justify his actions.”

The case underscores the intersection of personal grievances, religious influence, and political accountability, serving as a stark reminder of the societal pressures that can culminate in extreme acts of violence.