NARA, Japan — The man charged with assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has publicly expressed remorse for the tragedy he caused and extended an apology to Abe’s family. Tetsuya Yamagami, who previously admitted to the murder, conveyed his feelings during a court appearance on Thursday. He stated that he was “deeply sorry” to Akie Abe, the former prime minister’s widow.
Yamagami used a homemade firearm to shoot Abe at a political rally in Nara on July 8, 2022. The former prime minister succumbed to his injuries later that day, prompting widespread shock both within Japan and internationally. Remembered for his assertive foreign policy and the economic initiative known as “Abenomics,” Abe’s death marked a significant moment in Japanese politics.
“I have caused three and a half years of suffering to [Abe’s family]… I have no excuse,” Yamagami said, according to local reports. His motivation for the attack, he claimed, stemmed from a belief that Abe supported the Unification Church, which he alleged had financially ruined his family, particularly his mother.
In the aftermath of the assassination, Yamagami’s claims led to an examination of the controversial Unification Church. Founded in South Korea, the organization is notorious for its mass weddings and has faced scrutiny even prior to Abe’s death. The church’s teachings link marriage to spiritual salvation, a doctrine that has attracted criticism over the years.
This spring, a Tokyo court ordered the disbandment of the church, which announced its intention to contest the ruling vigorously. The church’s historical association with Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, who also served as prime minister, has intensified the public’s interest in its activities. Both Kishi and Abe had ties to the organization, primarily due to its anti-communist stance.
Abe’s legacy and the circumstances surrounding his assassination have ignited discussions about political violence in Japan, a nation with a generally low crime rate. In a heart-wrenching statement read by prosecutors during a previous court session, Akie Abe described her profound sorrow over losing her husband, expressing that the pain would not dissipate.
As the legal proceedings continue, Yamagami’s defense argued he acted out of pent-up frustration and desperation. His case has prompted nationwide debates on mental health, political extremism, and the influence of religious organizations in society.