A Japanese court has handed a life sentence to the man who fatally shot former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.
The verdict comes after a high-profile trial that gripped the nation and highlighted the gravity of the crime.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, admitted to fatally shooting Shinzo Abe during a public event in 2022. His actions sent shockwaves across Japan and the international community, sparking debates about security measures for public officials.
Prosecutors called the assassination “unprecedented in our post-war history,” emphasizing the “extremely serious consequences” it had on society. They sought the maximum penalty, arguing that life imprisonment was the only appropriate sentence.
Defense seeks reduced sentence
Yamagami’s legal team had requested a lesser punishment, arguing for a maximum term of 20 years. They contended that circumstances in the case warranted a reduced sentence, though the court ultimately rejected this appeal.
The assassination of Shinzo Abe, a former long-serving Prime Minister, was a national tragedy. Citizens across Japan mourned the loss, and international leaders condemned the act, reaffirming the importance of security and political stability.
