A Japanese court on Wednesday sentenced 45-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to public broadcaster NHK. The assassination, which occurred in July 2022, shocked Japan and the world. Yamagami was arrested at the scene after using a homemade firearm to shoot Abe while he was delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, was 67 years old at the time of his death.

The guilty verdict was widely anticipated, as Yamagami admitted responsibility for the killing during the first court hearing at the Nara District Court in October. The main focus of the trial had been the severity of the punishment. Prosecutors requested a life sentence, describing the assassination as an exceptionally serious crime with no parallel in Japan’s post-war history. Defense lawyers, however, argued for a reduced sentence of no more than 20 years, citing Yamagami’s personal background and family circumstances.

Yamagami told the court that he harbored resentment toward the Unification Church, alleging that his family suffered severe financial hardship after his mother made large donations to the group. He said he targeted Abe because the former leader had once sent a video message to an event linked to the church.

Although Abe was no longer in office, he remained an influential figure within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. His death created instability within the party and drew public attention to its connections with the Unification Church, damaging its popularity. Internationally, Abe was known for his close relationship with former US President Donald Trump, a bond often highlighted in discussions of Japan’s recent diplomatic history.