Abe’s Assassin Admits Guilt; Verdict Set for January

Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, admitted at the opening of his lay-judge trial in Nara that he killed former prime minister Shinzo Abe with a homemade firearm during a July 2022 campaign speech. He has said his motive was a long-standing grudge against the Unification Church after his mother donated about ¥100 million and the family's financial collapse. Defense lawyers said they will not contest his basic guilt but will challenge certain firearms charges, arguing the weapon did not fall under Japan's Firearms and Swords Control Act at the time, and are seeking a lighter penalty; prosecutors say he acted deliberately. The assassination prompted intense scrutiny of ties between the Unification Church and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led to revelations and resignations, a Tokyo court order seeking the church's dissolution, and spurred legal and policy changes including tougher restrictions on sharing firearm-making information online. Multiple hearings are planned and a verdict is scheduled for January, and the trial opening coincided with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meeting visiting U.S. President Donald Trump.