CaliToday (06/12/2025): In a significant development during ongoing court proceedings, the man accused of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has offered his first direct apology to the late leader's family, breaking a years-long silence regarding the personal toll of his actions.
Tetsuya Yamagami, who has previously admitted to the killing, addressed the court on December 4, expressing deep remorse directed specifically at Mr. Abe’s widow, Akie Abe.
"No Excuse" for the Suffering Caused
Yamagami, now facing trial for the murder that shook the world, made a somber statement acknowledging the grief he inflicted.
"I have caused [Abe’s family] three and a half years of suffering... I have no excuse," Yamagami told the court, according to local media reports.
This statement marks the first time the accused has publicly shown contrition toward the family since the incident occurred. While Yamagami has been cooperative with investigators regarding the facts of the crime, his previous statements focused largely on his ideological and personal motivations rather than the emotional impact on the victim's kin.
The Crime That Shook a Nation
The assassination took place on July 8, 2022, in the western city of Nara. In an act of violence rare in Japan, which has some of the world's strictest gun control laws, Yamagami approached Abe from behind during a stump speech for a parliamentary election.
Using a crude, homemade double-barreled firearm wrapped in black tape, Yamagami fired two shots. The former Prime Minister was airlifted to a hospital but was pronounced dead later that afternoon due to massive blood loss.
The Motive: A Grudge Against the Unification Church
Yamagami’s defense and confessions have painted a picture of a man driven by a deep-seated grudge against the Unification Church (officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification).
Financial Ruin: Yamagami told investigators that his mother, a devout follower of the church, had donated the family’s entire fortune to the organization, leading to their bankruptcy and the destruction of his family life.
The Target: He believed that Shinzo Abe had promoted and encouraged the activities of the church in Japan. Unable to reach the church’s leadership, he targeted Abe as a high-profile figure he perceived as being sympathetic to the group.
These allegations sparked a national firestorm, leading to widespread government investigations into the Unification Church’s fundraising tactics and its ties to ruling party lawmakers.
A Legacy Remembered
The death of Shinzo Abe sent shockwaves across the globe. As Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister, he was a titan of modern Asian politics.
Abenomics: He is best remembered for his signature economic strategy, "Abenomics," which sought to revive Japan's stagnant economy through monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reform.
Foreign Policy: Abe championed a robust foreign policy, seeking to raise Japan's profile on the world stage and strengthen security alliances.
Bond with Vietnam: Notably, Abe was highly regarded in Vietnam. He was viewed as a close friend of the Vietnamese people and government, instrumental in strengthening the strategic partnership between Tokyo and Hanoi during his tenure.
As the legal process against Yamagami continues, his apology adds a new layer to a tragedy that has permanently altered Japan's political landscape.
Sources: Getty, Reuters
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