Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in Tokyo, admitting to the 2022 killing that stunned the nation and the world. The plea marks a pivotal moment in a case that exposed deep political and religious tensions in Japan.
On Tuesday, Yamagami, 45, stood in a Tokyo court and stated “everything is true” regarding the charges of murder and violations of arms control laws. The trial began three years after Abe was shot dead during a campaign speech in Nara, using a homemade firearm crafted by Yamagami. Appearing in a black top and grey trousers with his hair tied in a ponytail, Yamagami’s admission came as no surprise to observers, but it formalized his responsibility for one of Japan’s most shocking political murders in decades.
The assassination occurred on July 8, 2022, when Abe was struck several times at close range in broad daylight. Despite Japan’s notoriously strict gun laws, the homemade weapon bypassed security, and Abe succumbed to his injuries hours later. The incident sent shockwaves globally, not only because of Abe’s status as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister but also due to the rarity of such violence in a country with minimal gun-related crimes.
Yamagami’s motive stemmed from a deep-seated grudge against the Unification Church, which he blamed for his family’s financial collapse. He alleged that his mother donated approximately 100 million yen (about $660,000) to the church, leading to bankruptcy, and he targeted Abe due to the politician’s perceived promotion of the group. This revelation prompted investigations into the ties between the church and Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), to which Abe belonged.
The killing forced a reckoning over political connections to controversial religious organizations, leading to the resignation of four ministers and public outcry. In March 2025, the Tokyo District Court ordered the dissolution of the church’s Japanese arm, stripping it of tax-exempt status and requiring asset liquidation due to “unprecedented damage” to society. Interestingly, Yamagami’s mother has reportedly not wavered in her faith, telling media the killing strengthened her beliefs.
In response to the assassination, Japan strengthened its gun control laws in 2024, criminalizing the creation and distribution of tutorials for homemade firearms. The new legislation aims to prevent similar attacks, addressing gaps exposed by the debacle where security officials failed to immediately identify the gunshot sounds. This move underscores Japan’s commitment to maintaining its low levels of gun violence despite the evolving threats.
Yamagami’s trial is expected to conclude in mid-December, with his lawyer contesting the arms control charges by arguing the homemade gun did not fit legal categories. The case also considers whether extenuating circumstances related to “religious abuse” in Yamagami’s childhood should influence sentencing, adding complexity to the proceedings.
As the trial progresses, it continues to evoke reflections on Abe’s legacy, including his “Abenomics” policies and hawkish foreign stance, while highlighting ongoing debates over religious influence, political accountability, and public safety in Japan. The outcome may set precedents for how the justice system handles cases involving personal grievances against powerful institutions.