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the man who was accused Assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has apologized to the Abe family in court for the first time and said he bears “no ill will of any kind”.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, was Arrested at the shooting scene in July 2022 He opened fire on Abe with a homemade gun as the longest-serving prime minister was giving a speech during an election campaign in the western city of Nara.
The killing shocked Japan, which is known for its strict gun control rules and has a very low overall crime rate.
On Thursday, Yamagami appeared at the Nara District Court for the 14th hearing of the case and said he felt “deep regret” toward Abe’s widow, Aki, and other family members.
“It is true that I have caused (Abe’s family) pain for three and a half years. Since I have also lost a close member of my family, I have no excuse,” Yamagami said in court Thursday, according to local media.
Abe said he held a grudge against the former prime minister for his support of the Unification Church, which he blamed for his family’s bankruptcy after his mother made large donations to the organization.
Yamagami had previously confessed to Abe’s murder, saying, “It is true that I did it.”
NHK said a lawyer for Yamagami later sought to reduce any sentence, saying the handgun he used did not fall into the category of handgun as defined by Japan’s Firearms and Swords Control Act.
alleged role of The Unification Church prompted an investigation. In its operation, which became popular for organizing mass wedding ceremonies in South Korea.
However, it is being accused by some critics of having a cult-like hierarchical structure, strong control over members, and recruitment practices. It is also being investigated for its political influence and financial operations.
Yamagami previously told the court, “My real target was the Unification Church. Attacking its most prominent supporter was not meaningless, but I did not see it as my primary target.”
In March, a court ordered the church to be dissolved, But the Church vowed to fight “to the end”.
Abe’s widow attended the hearing for the first time on Wednesday and came face to face with her husband’s killer. But she was not present on the day she apologized to the family.
Wearing a dark jacket and skirt, Aki sat in the second row from the prosecution side and heard Yamagami’s statements in court.