Overview
- The 45-year-old told the Nara District Court there was "no doubt" he killed the former prime minister and violated firearms law.
- The defense is not disputing guilt and will seek leniency based on alleged familial harm tied to the church, with Yamagami’s mother expected to testify.
- Proceedings are scheduled through mid-December, with a verdict and sentencing anticipated in January 2026.
- Prosecutors say Yamagami built and used a homemade gun to shoot Abe at a 2022 campaign event after resentment over his mother’s donations of about 100 million yen to the church.
- The assassination intensified scrutiny of political links to the church and led to a 2024 Tokyo court order dissolving its Japan branch and a tougher law targeting homemade firearms.