• Tetsuya Yamagami admits guilt for killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
• The shooting, which occurred in July 2022, shocked Japan, known for its strict gun laws.
• Yamagami cited financial ruin caused by the Unification Church as his motive.
• Over 100 lawmakers from Abe’s party had ties to the church, sparking political scrutiny.
• The trial will consist of multiple hearings with a verdict expected on January 21.

Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, is undergoing trial for the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, having pleaded guilty to the charges on the first day of proceedings in Nara District Court. He admitted "everything is true" regarding the charges against him, which include murder and violations of Japan's stringent arms control laws after he used a homemade weapon during the assault on July 8, 2022. The shooting shocked the nation, given Japan's rarity of gun violence, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Yamagami's motive for the attack is reported to stem from a deep-seated grudge against the Unification Church, which he believed had ruined his family's financial conditions after his mother donated approximately 100 million yen (around $663,218). According to his lawyers and various media reports, this financial drain led to personal anguish and resentment towards the church that he felt Abe had supported. The former prime minister had attended events linked to the controversial church, known for its aggressive donation practices, as detailed by BBC and Al Jazeera.

The trial has also ignited scrutiny of the church's political influence, prompting national discussions and investigations into the connections between the Unification Church and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which demonstrated that over 100 lawmakers reportedly had ties to the organization. This revelation contributed to a significant decline in public support for the party, leading to several ministerial resignations, as highlighted by Le Monde and India Times.

If convicted, Yamagami faces severe penalties under Japanese law, including potential life imprisonment or the death penalty. The verdict is anticipated following 18 hearings within the ongoing trial process, scheduled to culminate January 21, 2026. The trial's outcomes have wide implications not only for Yamagami but also for public sentiment and political structures within Japan, highlighted by Anadolu Agency and Africa News.