A Japanese court sentenced Tetsuya Yamagami to life imprisonment on January 21, 2026, concluding a high-profile case that shocked the nation and reshaped its political landscape. Yamagami, who fatally shot former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech in Nara in July 2022, admitted to targeting Abe over his alleged ties to the Unification Church, a group critics label as a cult.
The assassination exposed longstanding connections between Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the religious organization, triggering public backlash. While Abe had stepped down as prime minister in 2020, he remained a dominant figure in the LDP until his death. Current Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, once a close ally of Abe, now leads a party grappling with diminished public trust and electoral setbacks.
The trial revealed Yamagami's meticulous planning using homemade weapons, underscoring gaps in Japanese political security. Analysts note the case continues to influence debates about religious influence in governance and the LDP's future direction amid declining support.
