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Life Sentence for Shinzo Abe's Assassin
Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old man who assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022, has been sentenced to life in prison by a Japanese court. The verdict comes after a high-profile trial that revealed deep-seated grievances against the controversial Unification Church and exposed political ties that shocked the nation.
A Shocking Political Assassination
On July 8, 2022, Yamagami shot Abe with a homemade firearm while the former leader was delivering a campaign speech in Nara. The assassination shocked Japan, a country with one of the world's lowest rates of gun violence. 'This was an unprecedented crime in our country's postwar history,' prosecutors stated during the trial, describing the act as 'dangerous, cowardly, and exceptionally serious.'
Yamagami admitted to the murder, explaining that he targeted Abe because of the former prime minister's ties to the Unification Church, a South Korean-founded religious movement also known as the 'Moonies.' He blamed the church for his family's financial ruin, claiming his mother had donated hundreds of thousands of euros to the organization in hopes of saving the family from misfortune.
Family Tragedy and Public Sympathy
The trial revealed a tragic family story that resonated with many Japanese citizens. Yamagami's mother's excessive donations to the Unification Church led to severe financial hardship and family conflict, ultimately resulting in his brother's suicide. Defense lawyers argued that this desperate family situation should be considered in sentencing, suggesting a maximum of 20 years rather than life imprisonment.
Surprisingly, Yamagami received significant public support following the assassination. He received thousands of letters of support, gifts, and even financial contributions from Japanese citizens who saw him as a symbol for children raised within controversial religious sects. 'He became a voice for those who suffered in silence,' noted one social commentator interviewed by BBC News.
Political Fallout and Church Dissolution
The assassination triggered a political earthquake in Japan. Investigations revealed extensive connections between the Unification Church and 179 lawmakers from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, leading to public distrust and electoral backlash. In March 2025, a Tokyo court ordered the dissolution of the Unification Church, stripping it of its tax-exempt status after finding it had systematically coerced followers into making excessive donations.
'The court found the church's actions substantially detrimental to public welfare,' reported Japan Daily. This marked the first time a religious organization had been disbanded under Japan's Religious Corporations Law.
Historical Context and Legacy
Shinzo Abe was Japan's longest-serving prime minister, holding office from 2006-2007 and again from 2012-2020. His assassination was the first of a former Japanese prime minister since 1936 and has been described by The Independent as 'one of the most effective political assassinations in recent history' due to the significant reforms it triggered regarding religious organizations in Japan.
The life sentence verdict brings closure to a case that has captivated Japan for nearly four years, though questions about religious influence in politics continue to shape the nation's political landscape.
