A Japanese court has sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in 2022, bringing an end to one of the most closely followed criminal trials in the country’s recent history.
The verdict was delivered after a lengthy and high-profile court process that deeply affected Japan, where gun violence is extremely rare. Yamagami, now 45, admitted to shooting Abe during a public campaign event in July 2022, an act that shocked the nation and drew worldwide condemnation.
Prosecutors described the assassination as “unprecedented in Japan’s post-war history,” stressing that the killing of a former prime minister had far-reaching and severe consequences for society. They argued that life imprisonment was the only appropriate punishment, citing the deliberate nature of the attack and its impact on public safety and democratic norms.
Yamagami’s defense team had sought a reduced sentence, requesting a maximum of 20 years in prison. They argued that personal circumstances and motivations behind the crime should be taken into account. The court, however, rejected these arguments, ruling that the seriousness of the offense outweighed any mitigating factors.
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, was a dominant political figure whose death triggered nationwide mourning. Memorials were held across the country, while leaders around the world condemned the attack and called for stronger protections for public officials.
The ruling closes a painful chapter for Japan, while reigniting discussions on political security, extremism, and the protection of democratic institutions.
