Murder charge filed against Shinzo Abe assassination suspect

Tetsuya Yamagami deemed fit to stand trial after six-months-long mental evaluation

Tetsuya Yamagami, center, holding a weapon, is detained where Shinzo Abe was shot, western Japan on 8 July 2022 (AP)

Prosecutors in Japan have charged the suspect in the killing of Shinzo Abe with murder, six months after the former prime minister was assassinated in broad daylight, sending shockwaves across the country.

Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, was arrested immediately after allegedly shooting Mr Abe during his campaign speech in Nara, western Japan, in July with a handmade gun.

Following his nearly six-month mental evaluation, prosecutors said Mr Yamagami is fit to stand trial, which could see him face life imprisonment if convicted.

Mr Yamagami was indicted on charges of murder and violating a gun control law, according to the Nara District Court.

The assassination of Abe, one of Japan’s most influential and divisive politicians, triggered a publica debate on the unification church and its ties with Japan’s dominant Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Mr Yamagami told the police he had a grudge against Abe because of his apparent links to the controversial Unification Church and blamed it for his mother’s bankruptcy as she had donated 100 million yen ($774,700) to the group.

His lawyer, Masaaki Furukawa, said on Thursday, that Mr Yamagami will have to take the responsibility for the serious consequences of his alleged actions and the defence lawyers will work to have his sentence reduced.

Tetsuya Yamagami, bottom, is detained near the site of gunshots in Nara Prefectur (AP)

Due to the complexity of the case, it would take months before his trial begins, Mr Furukawa said.

Police are also reportedly considering additional charges against him, including producing weapons, violating explosives control law and causing damage to buildings.

However, a section of people expressed sympathy for Mr Yamagami and also signed a petition requesting leniency.

The Unification Church has been described by critics as “cult -like” as it sends its followers to work as volunteers, known colloquially as “Moonies”, to pressure devotees into making large donations.

File Then-Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe laughs while speaking at the Center for Strategic International Studies in Washington in 2013 (AP)

It was first set up in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon in the early 1950s and later came to Japan and developed ties with politicians to grow its followers base.

Prime minister Fumio Kishida’s popularity has taken a hit after an investigation into the case revealed years of close ties between Mr Abe’s governing Liberal Democratic Party and the church.

Mr Kishida has denied any links with the group and his government has adopted a law to help victims of the church’s fundraising practices. A measure experts deem insufficient.