In a major legal development in Japan, Tetsuya Yamagami, the man convicted of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, has submitted an appeal against the life sentence he received earlier this year. The motion was filed this week with the Osaka High Court after Yamagami was sentenced in January for the high-profile assassination that shocked the nation.
Appeal Filed Over Life Imprisonment Sentence
Yamagami, now 45, was handed a life term in prison by the Nara District Court on January 21, 2026, after admitting to shooting Abe with a homemade firearm during a campaign event in July 2022. His legal team filed the appeal on Wednesday, seeking a review of the sentence and challenging the severity of the punishment.
Defense lawyers had originally sought a term of up to 20 years, pointing to personal hardships and mental stress linked to Yamagami’s background and motives. The prosecution, however, had pushed for maximum punishment, and the district court sided with that position citing the crime’s extreme gravity.
Motive and Court Arguments in Focus
At trial, Yamagami told judges he harbored deep resentment toward the Unification Church, believing it had contributed to his family’s financial ruin through large donations made by his mother. Although he admitted to the shooting, his team argued that these life challenges and “religious abuse” were central to his motive and should influence sentencing.
The court rejected these claims as insufficient to lessen his responsibility, noting that the homemade gun was capable of lethal force and that the killing of a former national leader was unprecedented in modern Japanese history.
Next Steps: High Court Review
With the appeal now officially lodged, the Osaka High Court will determine whether Yamagami’s life sentence should stand, be reduced, or be reconsidered on legal or procedural grounds. A timetable for hearings has not yet been announced.
The case continues to draw domestic and international attention, not only for its political implications but also for broader discussions about criminal sentencing, social grievances and how justice is administered in Japan.
