The trial of Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, commenced on Tuesday in Nara, Japan. The proceedings began as U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Japan for discussions with newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a conservative ally and protégé of Abe. During their meeting, Takaichi emphasized the strong relationship between Abe and Trump, with the latter praising Abe as a ‘great friend.’ Yamagami, 45, allegedly targeted Abe during a 2022 election speech, using a homemade firearm. His motive stemmed from a deep-seated resentment toward the Unification Church, which he believed had close ties to Abe and other Japanese politicians. Yamagami has claimed that his family’s financial ruin was caused by his mother’s substantial donations to the church, a South Korea-based organization founded in 1954. The trial, expected to conclude by mid-December, has drawn significant attention, particularly given Abe’s legacy as Japan’s longest-serving post-war prime minister. The Unification Church, known for its global political influence, has faced numerous lawsuits in Japan from families alleging financial exploitation. Despite these controversies, the church has historically maintained strong connections with Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Trial begins for man accused of killing former Japanese PM Abe with homemade firearm
