Assassination of Shinzo Abe Crime Japan Unification Church

Judge in Ex-PM Abe Trial Says of Killer: “It cannot be said that his background had a great impact”

Presiding Judge Shinichi Tanaka suggested that the motive claimed was irrational, stating, "It cannot be said that his background had a great impact." During the trial, the defense argued that, given Yamagami's troubled background related to the controversial religious group Unification Church, with which Abe allegedly had ties, his sentence should be no more than 20 years.

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by Michael Gillan Peckitt
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Barrier Free Japan, Jiji

January 21 2026

NARA – The man who killed former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was given an indefinite prison term on Wednesday for the fatal shooting with a homemade gun in the western Japan city of Nara in 2022. 
   Nara District Court handed down the sentence to Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, as sought by public prosecutors, saying Yamagami deserved life for his “grave act”.
Presiding Judge Shinichi Tanaka suggested that the motive claimed was irrational, as well as describing the crime as “despicable and extremely malicious,” stating, “It cannot be said that his background had a great impact.”
   During the trial, the defense argued that, given Yamagami’s troubled background related to the controversial religious group Unification Church, with which Abe allegedly had ties, his sentence should be no more than 20 years.

1 comment on “Judge in Ex-PM Abe Trial Says of Killer: “It cannot be said that his background had a great impact””

  1. Pingback: Judge Says of Ex-PM Abe Killer: “It cannot be said that his background had a great impact” [Podcast Episode] – Barrier Free Japan

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