Trial Begins for Man Accused of Assassinating Former Japanese PM Abe

The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, commenced on October 28, 2025, in Nara, Japan. Yamagami, who allegedly used a homemade firearm, has pleaded guilty to murder but is seeking a lenient sentence, with his defense highlighting his mother's financial ruin due to large donations to the Unification Church, which he blamed for his actions. The prosecution intends to prove the crime was premeditated and unrelated to the religious group's influence. The Unification Church, controversial for its political ties and financial practices, faces dissolution proceedings in Japan following numerous lawsuits. The trial coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to Japan, during which he met with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a conservative protege of Abe, underscoring Abe's lasting political influence. The court ruling for Yamagami is expected in January 2026.