Sentencing Approaches in Case of Shinzo Abe's Assassination

Thu Jan 22 2026 02:59:12 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Tetsuya Yamagami, who admitted to killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is facing sentencing as public opinion is divided over the appropriate punishment amidst revelations of personal trauma.

As Tetsuya Yamagami awaits sentencing for the assassination of Shinzo Abe, debates arise regarding the complexity of his motivations and public sympathy stemming from his troubled personal background. His guilty plea has led prosecutors to demand life imprisonment while advocates for leniency highlight his claims of being a victim of familial religious abuse.

Tetsuya Yamagami, the man who killed Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, is set to be sentenced on Wednesday. Yamagami pleaded guilty at the trial's opening but opinions on his punishment are divided across Japan.

Public sentiment leans towards viewing him as a cold-blooded murderer; however, some express sympathy for his troubled upbringing. Prosecutors have recommended life imprisonment given the gravity of the shooting, which shocked a nation known for its low rates of gun violence.

Yamagami's defense team argues that he was a victim of 'religious abuse' due to his mother’s involvement with the Unification Church, which they claim led to significant familial turmoil.

The circumstances surrounding Abe's assassination prompted profound investigations into the Unification Church and its influence within Japanese politics, revealing disturbing practices like soliciting exorbitant donations from followers.

Yamagami's trial reflected deep emotional struggles, with journalists noting the despair displayed by him and his family throughout the hearings. His crime, implicating a significant public figure, has raised questions about social issues leading to violence.

As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, the ongoing dialogue questions whether Yamagami’s painful personal history can mitigate the severity of his crime.