NARA - Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, who was charged with murder and other crimes over the shooting death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was sentenced to life in prison on January 21st in a lay judge trial at the Nara District Court, in line with prosecutors’ request after proceedings that spanned 15 hearings since October 2025. Yamagami showed no change in expression as the life sentence was handed down.
When the ruling was delivered, Yamagami was seen shaking his head from side to side, with his mouth appearing tense, as the presiding judge explained that while it was not impossible to understand how his complex feelings toward the former Unification Church could have turned into anger, there was a major leap from harboring resentment to deciding to take a life, and his upbringing could not be considered a factor that justified that decision.
Three lay judges who heard the case alongside professional judges held a press conference on January 21st and described Yamagami as someone they felt had high ability, adding that they found it deeply regrettable he did not use those abilities in a different direction rather than turning to crime, while another said he seemed unable to compromise and questioned whether he could have stopped himself.
Akie Abe, the former prime minister’s widow, issued a statement saying she felt the long days since her husband’s sudden death had reached a turning point, and that the defendant should properly face what he had done and atone for the crime of taking the life of her irreplaceable family member.
Meanwhile, the defense said it was regrettable that its arguments were not accepted and indicated it would decide whether to appeal after consulting with Yamagami.
Source: FNN
