Abe’s Assassin Pleads Guilty, Cites Revenge Over Unification Church Ties

Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, admitted to killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 with a homemade gun, saying he targeted him over ties to the Unification Church, which bankrupted his family. The trial in Nara is set to end by mid-December.

The man accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pleaded guilty, nearly three years after the shocking incident that stunned Japan and the world. The trial, which began in the city of Nara, marks a critical moment in one of Japan’s most significant political tragedies in recent history.

The defendant, identified as 45-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, admitted in open court that he fatally shot Abe using a homemade firearm during a campaign speech in July 2022. When asked to confirm his role in the killing, he said simply, “Everything is true,” leaving no ambiguity about his confession. Prosecutors have charged him with murder and violation of Japan’s strict gun control laws, as firearms are heavily regulated in the country.

The assassination took place on July 8, 2022, near a train station in Nara, western Japan, as Abe delivered a speech supporting a local candidate ahead of national elections. Witnesses recalled hearing two loud gunshots before the former prime minister collapsed. Security personnel immediately tackled Yamagami to the ground and arrested him at the scene. The homemade gun, which was recovered by police, highlighted growing concerns about how easily such weapons can be crafted from basic materials, even in a nation known for its low rate of gun violence.

During police interrogations and court proceedings, Yamagami explained his motive, saying he deliberately targeted Abe because of his alleged connections with the South Korea-based Unification Church. He claimed that the religious group, which has long been controversial in Japan, was responsible for his family’s financial ruin. According to Yamagami, his mother was persuaded to donate approximately 100 million yen (around $658,000 or €564,000) to the church, leading to severe economic hardship and emotional distress for their family.

The Unification Church’s Japanese branch later confirmed that Yamagami’s mother was indeed a member but emphasized that Abe himself was not affiliated with the organization. The church said Abe had only expressed support for some of its peace-related initiatives, such as interfaith cooperation and social harmony. Despite this clarification, critics in Japan have continued to question the influence of the church on political figures and its fundraising methods.

The Unification Church, founded in South Korea in 1954 by Reverend Sun Myung Moon, has been accused by detractors of functioning like a cult, manipulating members into making large financial donations, and exploiting their devotion. The controversy surrounding Abe’s alleged association with the group triggered widespread public outrage after his death, forcing Japan’s government to investigate the church’s operations and the extent of its political ties.

In response to public anger, Japanese authorities later introduced new legislation aimed at preventing religious or spiritual organizations from coercing individuals into excessive donations. The government also began legal proceedings to dissolve the Unification Church’s legal status in Japan, citing repeated financial exploitation of followers.

As Yamagami’s trial continues, many Japanese citizens remain divided in their opinions. Some view him as a criminal who must face the full consequences of his actions, while others sympathize with his motive, arguing that his family’s suffering at the hands of the church pushed him to desperation. The case has ignited a broader national conversation about religion, politics, and accountability.

The trial, taking place at the Nara District Court, is expected to continue for several weeks, with a verdict likely to be delivered in mid-December, according to Japan’s Kyodo news agency. Regardless of the outcome, the proceedings are being closely followed across Japan, as they not only revisit the circumstances of Shinzo Abe’s assassination but also confront deeper questions about faith, politics, and justice in modern Japanese society.