"Causing a Tremendous Impact on Society"... Japanese Prosecutors Seek Life Sentence for Abe's Killer

Japanese Prosecutors: "An Unprecedented and Serious Case"

The Japanese prosecution has demanded a life sentence for Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, who is accused of murdering former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

According to Kyodo News and Asahi Shimbun on December 18, the prosecution made this request at a trial held at the Nara District Court in western Honshu, stating, "This is an unprecedented and serious case in which a former prime minister was killed in broad daylight in front of the public, causing a tremendous impact on society."

In July 2022, Yamagami approached former Prime Minister Abe during a campaign rally in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, and fired a gun at him. Abe was transported to the hospital but died. Yamagami, who was indicted on charges including murder, admitted to the crime in a previous trial and apologized to the bereaved family, saying, "There is no excuse. I am deeply sorry."

Tetsuya Yamagami, who fatally shot former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, appeared on the morning of the 10th as he was transferred from the Nara West Police Station to the prosecution. Photo by Yonhap News

The main issue in this trial was whether Yamagami's mother's involvement in the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly known as the Unification Church) and her large donations to the organization influenced his actions. Yamagami's mother became a member of the Family Federation when he was in elementary school, and it is reported that she donated about 100 million yen (approximately 950 million won), including her late husband's life insurance payout, to the organization. As a result, Yamagami is said to have given up on attending university.

The defense argued that the Family Federation had a negative impact on Yamagami's personality, behavior, and family, and that these circumstances fueled his desire for revenge, insisting that such factors should be considered in sentencing. In response, the prosecution pointed out that Yamagami developed resentment toward the organization as he blamed it for his life not going as he had hoped.

The prosecution emphasized that a troubled upbringing does not justify a reduced sentence. At the trial, the prosecution stated, "We do not deny that the defendant had a difficult childhood," but added, "However, as a man in his 40s capable of distinguishing right from wrong, this does not significantly affect the consideration of extenuating circumstances."

Akie Abe, the widow of former Prime Minister Abe, did not appear in court on this day, but in a statement read by her attorney, she demanded that Yamagami "face what he has done head-on and atone for it properly." Reflecting on the aftermath of the incident, Mrs. Abe said, "The sudden death of my husband was so shocking that my mind went completely blank," and "For quite a long time, it felt as if I were in a dream."

Yamagami's mother testified at a previous trial that she believed "the family would improve if I made donations," while Yamagami's younger sister claimed, "The organization destroyed our family." The verdict for the first trial is scheduled for January 21 next year.