Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in Tokyo. According to local media, Yamagami acknowledged his actions, stating that “everything is true.” He allegedly used a homemade firearm to shoot Abe during a political campaign event in Nara in July 2022. Abe succumbed to his injuries later that day in a hospital, an incident that reverberated globally.
The assassination has raised questions about the connections between Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Unification Church, colloquially known as the “Moonies.” Reports indicate that Yamagami targeted Abe due to grievances against the church, claiming that Abe was responsible for promoting it and that his mother had been financially ruined by her donations to the organization, which he alleges totaled approximately 100 million yen (about $660,000).
Following the assassination, investigations into the Unification Church were initiated, which began in South Korea due to its controversial activities, including mass weddings. This scrutiny led to the resignation of four ministers in Japan. In March of this year, a Tokyo court ordered the disbandment of the church, revoking its tax-exempt status and mandating asset liquidation. Despite these developments, Yamagami’s mother reportedly remains committed to her faith, asserting that the incident has strengthened her beliefs.
Yamagami’s trial is expected to extend until January, during which he is denying charges related to firearms violations, asserting that his homemade weapon does not fit the legal definitions under Japanese law. In the aftermath of Abe’s assassination, Japan has tightened regulations concerning homemade firearms amidst a backdrop of historically low gun violence.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5qp45y20yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss