It has been almost a year since Tetsuya Yamagami shocked the nation by allegedly assassinating former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The incident, which took place on July 8, 2022, in Nara, left Japan mourning the loss of its longest-serving leader. As the case unfolded, the focus shifted to Yamagami himself, his motives, and his family history. With the trial yet to commence, the public remains curious about the current status of the accused and what lies ahead.
The Charges and Detention
Yamagami, now 42 years old, has been detained at the Osaka Detention Center, a high-security facility, awaiting trial. The investigation concluded in March after eight months of thorough examination. Yamagami faces several serious charges, including fatally shooting Abe using a handmade gun, manufacturing multiple firearms and gunpowder without government approval, testing the handguns on multiple occasions, and even shooting a Unification Church building in Nara before the assassination.
To determine his criminal responsibility, Yamagami underwent a psychiatric evaluation. Although the schedule for the first trial hearing is yet to be set, one of his defense lawyers anticipates it will take place next year.
Pre-trial Drama and Public Interest
Last month, the media frenzy surrounding the case was reignited when Yamagami was expected to attend a pre-trial discussion among judges, prosecutors, and defense lawyers. This administrative meeting aimed to establish the evidence to be presented during the trial. While it is unusual for a defendant to be present at such proceedings, Yamagami’s potential appearance drew significant attention from journalists, photographers, and TV crews.
However, the pre-trial meeting took an unexpected turn when a cardboard box, delivered to the Nara District Court, triggered a metal detector. Fearing it could contain an explosive, authorities promptly canceled the meeting. Subsequent inspection revealed that the box contained a petition signed by approximately 13,000 individuals seeking leniency for Yamagami. Following this incident, Yamagami’s defense team quoted him as saying he might reconsider attending future pre-trial meetings to prevent similar disruptions.
Calls for Transparency and Family History
Yamagami’s family background has garnered considerable interest since his arrest. His motive for targeting Abe was reportedly rooted in a deep-seated grudge against the Unification Church, which he believed had caused financial ruin to his family. Yamagami’s mother, deeply affected by her husband’s suicide when Yamagami was just six years old, became a devoted follower of the Unification Church. Her significant donations to the religious group, exceeding ¥100 million, plunged the family into financial turmoil.
Unable to afford university, Yamagami received support from his maternal uncle, a retired lawyer, to attend a vocational school. His dream of becoming a firefighter was shattered due to his near-sightedness, leading him to join the Maritime Self-Defense Force instead. Tragically, Yamagami’s older brother, who had already lost an eye to cancer, took his own life in 2005.
Yamagami’s mother stayed with his uncle for about a month after the assassination. Prosecutors questioned her twice, focusing on her reaction to the incident. Strikingly, she expressed remorse for causing trouble to the Unification Church, seemingly influenced by the group’s teachings. Despite the heinous crime Yamagami stands accused of, some view him as a victim due tohis troubled family history.
The Road Ahead
As the trial awaits scheduling, legal experts and the public continue to closely follow the case. A group of legal experts petitioned the Nara court to open the pre-trial meetings to the public or media, emphasizing the importance of transparency in this historic trial. Meanwhile, Yamagami has received various forms of support from sympathetic individuals, including gifts of clothing, cash, food, and letters.
The upcoming court hearings may provide the first opportunity for Yamagami to publicly address the allegations against him and shed light on his motives. Until then, the nation remains in anticipation, seeking answers and attempting to comprehend the shocking events that unfolded on that fateful day in July.
Almost a year has passed since Tetsuya Yamagami allegedly assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. With the trial yet to commence, Yamagami remains in detention, hidden from public view. The charges against him are grave, and the case has attracted significant media attention, focusing not only on the crime itself but also on Yamagami’s troubled family history and motivations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public eagerly awaits the trial, hoping for transparency and seeking to understand the events surrounding the shocking assassination.
© TheJapanTimes / KYODO
