Man Gets Life in Prison for Killing Shinzo Abe, Former Leader of Japan
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Tetsuya Yamagami was sentenced to life in prison for assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at an election rally in Nara in 2022.
- Yamagami admitted to shooting Abe with a homemade gun but his lawyers sought a shorter sentence, citing his difficult childhood and family hardships.
- The trial revealed Yamagami's motive was his belief that Abe supported the Unification Church, which he blamed for financially ruining his family.
- The case sparked national debate in Japan about political violence and broader societal issues, with divided public opinion on Yamagami's punishment.
- Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, was shot in the neck while campaigning and had stepped down from office in 2020
