On January 21, 2026, a court in Nara handed down a life sentence to Tetsuya Yamagami for the fatal shooting of former prime minister Shinzo Abe three and a half years ago. ⚖️
Yamagami was arrested in July 2022 after opening fire with a homemade gun during Abe’s campaign speech in Nara, shocking Japan and the world.
Although Abe was no longer serving as prime minister at the time—he stepped down in 2020—he remained a powerful figure within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. His assassination also exposed deep ties between the party and the Unification Church, an organization many in Japan view as a cult.
Since the attack, the LDP has faced growing calls for transparency and reform. Abe’s protege, Sanae Takaichi, now leads Japan and the LDP as prime minister, but the party’s grip on power has considerably diminished as voters demand change. 🗳️
As the nation reflects on this verdict, many see it as a milestone in confronting the past and reshaping Japan’s political future. 🌅
Reference(s):
Japan court sentences former PM Abe's assassin to life in prison
cgtn.com
