The man charged with assassinating former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 has for the first time publicly apologized to the slain leader’s family. On 4 December 2025, during the 14th hearing of his trial at the Nara District Court, Tetsuya Yamagami addressed Abe’s widow and relatives and acknowledged the suffering his act caused.
Yamagami, 45, admitted that his action was “wrong.” He said that although he harboured no personal grudge against Abe’s family, his deed had “caused them immense suffering” over the past three and a half years. “There is no excuse,” he told the court.
Crime and motive — a brief recap
On 8 July 2022, at a campaign event in Nara, Yamagami fired a homemade gun at Abe, who had been giving a speech. Abe was killed, triggering national shock in a country where politically motivated violence is extremely rare. Yamagami was arrested on the spot and later charged with murder along with multiple firearms and weapons‑law offences.
During pretrial proceedings and in the early hearings of the trial, Yamagami admitted to the shooting. His stated motive has been a deep resentment toward the Unification Church — a religious group whose influence and financial demands he blamed for his family’s financial ruin. Specifically, he claimed that his mother’s large donations to the group had pushed their family into bankruptcy. Yamagami believed Abe’s political connections to the church made him complicit in that destruction.
Courtroom apology — what was said
During Thursday’s session, Yamagami told the court he felt “deeply sorry” for the pain inflicted on Abe’s widow, Akie Abe, and other members of the family. He insisted that he harboured no personal hatred toward them, but acknowledged that his crime inflicted years of suffering. “I have caused them immense pain. I have no excuse,” he said.
Yamagami further admitted that he did not expect his actions to have consequences as grave as they did — a statement that seemed to signal some recognition of unforeseeable repercussions at the time he committed the crime.
Trial proceeding — path to verdict
The trial against Yamagami began in late October 2025. He has pleaded guilty to the murder and other charges, including violations of Japan’s strict firearms laws and weapon‑manufacturing statutes.
At present, the verdict is scheduled for 21 January 2026. As part of the trial process, a total of 17 hearings — including the recent one where he apologized — are being held. This hearing marks a significant moment: the first time Yamagami has directly addressed the victim’s family in court.
Impact — public reaction and unresolved questions
The apology has stirred mixed reactions across Japan. For many, it is a moment that brings a sense of closure — however partial — to a grim chapter in the country’s modern history. For others, the apology may do little to ease the profound loss felt by the Abe family and the shock endured by the nation.
Legal observers note that while apologies can influence public sentiment, they do not necessarily change the legal evaluation of the crime. Given the gravity of the offence — assassination of a former head of government — the court’s ruling will still focus on legal responsibility, the nature of the crime, and appropriate sentencing based on established laws.
Additionally, the case has continued to reignite scrutiny over political‑religious ties: Yamagami’s motive highlighted the controversial role of the Unification Church in public life and its financial impact on individuals and families. The trial and emerging public discourse may influence broader debates about regulation of religious organizations and political transparency in Japan.
What lies ahead
As the court moves toward its final verdict in January, attention now turns to how the sentencing panel — including lay judges — will weigh Yamagami’s admission, motive, mental state, and expression of remorse. Meanwhile, the legacy of the assassination continues to reverberate through Japanese society, politics, and the justice system.
For the Abe family and many in Japan, this apology marks a painful but significant milestone — a moment where the man responsible for one of the darkest days in post‑war Japanese politics acknowledged his guilt and the human cost of his crime.
