Three years after the shocking assassination of Japan&rsquo;s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the suspect Tetsuya Yamagami admitted to shooting Abe during the opening hearing of his murder trial on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred in July 2022 in Nara, had stunned Japan and the world.
Yamagami, aged 45, was arrested at the scene after allegedly using a homemade firearm to fatally shoot Abe while he was delivering a campaign speech. Appearing calm in court, Yamagami acknowledged carrying out the attack. His lawyer requested a reduced sentence, arguing that the improvised weapon used did not legally qualify as a handgun under Japan&rsquo;s Firearms and Swords Control Act.
The trial began on the same day as a summit meeting between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom shared close ties with Abe.
Abe, Japan&rsquo;s longest-serving prime minister, had maintained a friendly diplomatic relationship with Trump, marked by several bilateral meetings and rounds of golf during his tenure.
Yamagami reportedly targeted Abe due to the former leader&rsquo;s association with the Unification Church, a religious group that the accused blamed for his family&rsquo;s financial ruin. His mother had donated around 100 million yen (approximately $660,000) to the group. Founded in South Korea in 1954, the Unification Church is known for its mass weddings and large following in Japan.
Following the assassination, investigations revealed that more than 100 lawmakers from Abe&rsquo;s Liberal Democratic Party had connections to the church, sparking widespread criticism and lowering public confidence in the ruling party.
The court has scheduled 17 additional hearings by the end of the year, with a final verdict expected on January 21.
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Three years after Abe’s death, accused Tetsuya Yamagami admits guilt in Japan court

Shinzo Abe Assassination Trial Begins in Japan

Three years after Abe’s death, accused Tetsuya Yamagami admits guilt in Japan court

October 28, 2025 | 17:39 IST