Tetsuya Yamagami Admits to Assassinating Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Published October 28, 2025 13:34

Suspect confesses in court to the 2022 assassination of Japan’s longest-serving leader, citing anger over Abe’s ties to the Unification Church

Photo: Shinzo Abe X account

Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, admitted to the charges during the opening of his trial in central Japan on Tuesday, according to public broadcaster NHK.

«Everything was done by me, and there is no mistake,» the 45-year-old told the court. Yamagami faces charges of murder and violating Japan’s firearms and swords law. A verdict is expected on January 21, 2026.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, led the country from 2006–2007 and again from 2012–2020, known for his «Abenomics» policies and efforts to expand Japan’s defense role. He was shot dead while campaigning in Nara in July 2022.

Japanese media reported that Yamagami targeted Abe over his alleged connections to the Unification Church, which he blamed for his family’s financial ruin after his mother donated about 100 mln yen ($660K) to the group.

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