Trial of Shinzo Abe’s Alleged Assassin Begins, Unveiling Dark Past

The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of murdering former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, commenced on March 5, 2024, in Nara, Japan. Yamagami, aged 44, has admitted to the killing but his legal team is expected to seek clemency by highlighting his troubled childhood and personal history. Abe was fatally shot with a homemade weapon on July 8, 2022, making him the first Japanese prime minister to be assassinated since 1936.

Initially, many believed the assassination was ideologically motivated; however, investigations suggest a more personal vendetta. Yamagami’s life has been marred by tragedy. Born into a prosperous family in 1980, his father died by suicide when Tetsuya was just four years old. His brother developed cancer and lost an eye at a young age. Following these events, Yamagami’s mother became involved with the Unification Church, known for exploiting individuals facing hardship. Family members claim she sold their home and donated the proceeds, along with her husband’s life insurance, to the church, often disappearing for extended periods.

This turbulent upbringing left Yamagami feeling abandoned and embittered. In 2005, he attempted suicide, and ten years later, his brother took his own life. In a tweet from 2019, he expressed his rage towards the church and those who supported it, stating, “I will never forgive the church, nor the Japanese people who side with it.” That same year, he attempted to attack the church’s leader, Hak Ja Han, but was unsuccessful. In his mind, targeting Abe was a way to expose the church’s connections to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Yamagami’s actions have uncovered a complex, decades-long relationship between the LDP and the Unification Church, dating back to the time of Abe’s grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi. Kishi, who served as prime minister from 1957 to 1960, formed ties with church founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon based on their mutual disdain for communism. This relationship facilitated the church’s entry into Japanese politics, aided by Cold War dynamics where both Japanese and American politicians viewed the church as a tool for promoting anti-communist sentiments.

Abe himself was photographed with church leaders, including Eiji Tokuno, shortly before his death. He was presented as Kishi’s political heir at a church-affiliated event, where he spoke about “family values” and criticized left-wing movements. Following Abe’s assassination, the LDP faced significant scrutiny, leading to an internal investigation that revealed nearly half of its lawmakers had ties to the Unification Church. This scrutiny resulted in the resignation of four cabinet members and new legislation aimed at regulating donations from religious organizations.

The Tokyo District Court stripped the church of its tax-exempt status last March and ordered it to liquidate its assets. Current legal challenges include around 180 lawsuits against the church. As the trial unfolds, Yamagami’s defense team aims to present his tragic background as a mitigating factor.

Public sentiment towards Yamagami is mixed. Some view him as a victim of circumstance, a perspective amplified by media coverage that has included fundraising efforts and petitions for leniency. A columnist even referred to him as a “dark hero.” On the other hand, prosecutors are expected to argue that Yamagami meticulously planned the assassination, having tracked Abe’s movements and test-fired his weapon prior to the attack.

Psychological evaluations have deemed Yamagami fit for trial, which has drawn significant attention from the public and media alike. Among the key witnesses will be his mother, who is anticipated to testify in his defense, potentially offering insight into Yamagami’s troubled past and motivations.

As the trial progresses, it has already begun to shed light on deeper societal issues in Japan, including the influence of religious organizations in politics and the personal tragedies that can lead individuals to commit acts of violence.