[Photo] Abe Shooting Suspect Revealed, Sent to Prosecutors on Murder Charges

"Former Prime Minister Abe's Video Message on Religion Without Mother" Police Statement

Tetsuya Yamagami (41), who shot and killed former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is seen being transferred from the Nara West Police Station to the prosecution on the morning of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Hee-jong] Yamgami Tetsuya (41), who fatally shot former Prime Minister Abe, was sent to the prosecution on the morning of the 10th on charges of murder.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 10th, Nara Prefectural Police arrested Tetsuya at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder and transferred him to the Nara Prefectural Prosecutor's Office on suspicion of murder.

Tetsuya, a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member who is currently unemployed, is accused of firing two shots at former Prime Minister Abe at 11:30 a.m. on the 8th while Abe was campaigning, resulting in his death. Former Prime Minister Abe died around 5 p.m. that day due to excessive bleeding from the gunshot wounds.

During police interrogation, Tetsuya reportedly stated that he decided to commit the crime after seeing a video message sent by former Prime Minister Abe to a religious group that his mother had left. The Yomiuri reported that Tetsuya mentioned the name of a specific religious organization and said, "My mother was a believer and donated a large sum of money, leading to bankruptcy," and "He was resentful and believed that punishment was necessary."

Yamagami initially targeted the leader of this religious group but changed his target to Abe, believing that "Abe spread this religion throughout Japan" after finding it difficult to approach the leader. He explained the reason for killing Abe by saying, "(It is) not due to resentment against Abe's political beliefs," but "I thought there was a connection after seeing the video message Abe sent to the religious group."

According to the Yomiuri, this group is a religion that originated overseas, not in Japan, and videos of Abe's video messages sent to events organized by private activity groups established by the leaders of this group are available on the internet. According to the religious group, Yamagami's mother is registered as a believer of this religion.