The lay judge trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, charged with murder in the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has started at the Nara District Court. Yamagami admitted to the charges at the first hearing. The proceedings will examine his family background tied to the Unification Church and its societal implications.
The lay judge trial of defendant Tetsuya Yamagami, charged with murder and other crimes for fatally shooting former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a homemade firearm in July 2022 during a campaign speech for a House of Councillors election candidate in Nara City, began at the Nara District Court on October 30. At the first hearing, the defendant admitted to the charges, stating: “It is all true. There is no doubt that I did it.”
When Yamagami was in elementary school, his mother joined the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church, and reportedly donated a total of ¥100 million, resulting in bankruptcy and the loss of their peaceful life. Described as a “shukyo nisei,” or child of a religious follower, Yamagami harbored resentment toward the church, as he stated during the investigation. In their opening statement, the defense lawyers requested leniency, arguing: “The environment in which the defendant was born and raised constitutes child abuse. This should be fully considered when determining the severity of the sentence.” The prosecution countered: “An unfortunate background has no connection whatsoever to Mr. Abe and does not significantly warrant a lighter punishment for the defendant.”
Nearly 20 trial sessions are scheduled, with the ruling to be handed down in January next year. Testimonies from the defendant's mother and religious scholars are expected, aiming to clarify how resentment toward the religious group led to the shooting of Abe. Following the incident, some expressed sympathy for Yamagami's circumstances online. In 2023, an explosive was thrown at then-Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Wakayama City, with the arrested man reportedly gathering information about Yamagami online before the act.
Violence is never permissible, regardless of the reason. The shooting stifled free speech during elections and prompted a review of security measures, with immeasurable societal impact. Online disinformation persists, including claims that Yamagami did not act alone or that there was a “true sniper.” Uncovering the truth in the trial will likely help curb such false information. The case also highlights the harm from large donations by church followers, leaving families in distress, and raises a weighty question for society: What should be done for children of parents who are followers of specific religious groups?