Tetsuya Yamagami indicted for the murder of former PM Shinzo Abe amidst state funeral in Japan
- Japanese prosecutors formally indicted Tetsuya Yamagami for the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
- The indictment came as world leaders gathered in Japan for the state funeral of Shinzo Abe, overshadowed by protesters demonstrating nearby.
- The assassination of Shinzo Abe on July 8, 2022, marked a tragic end to the life of Japan's longest-serving prime minister.
On January 13, Japanese prosecutors formally indicted Tetsuya Yamagami for the shooting death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on July 8. Yamagami, charged with murder and violations of firearms and sword laws, had been held by authorities since the assassination. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno called the shooting a challenge to democracy, emphasizing the seriousness of Abe's death. Yamagami, deemed mentally fit for trial, explained targeting Abe due to his family's ties to the Unification Church, leading to his mother's donations causing family issues. Abe, a prominent figure in Japanese politics, served as prime minister from 2006 to 2007 and 2012 to 2020 before resigning due to health problems. On September 27, world leaders gathered in Japan for the state funeral of Shinzo Abe, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading a U.S. delegation. Over 4,000 attendees, including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Abe's successor Yoshihide Suga, paid their respects. Kishida praised Abe's diplomatic efforts and friendship, while a video showcased Abe's achievements, such as being Japan's youngest prime minister and overseeing significant events during his tenure. Outside the ceremony, protesters in Hibiya Park criticized the use of taxpayer money for the state funeral, expressing discontent over being forced to mourn for Abe. In historical events on July 8, the Declaration of Independence was publicly read for the first time in 1776, marking a significant moment in American history. In 1889, The Wall Street Journal was first published, becoming a renowned financial newspaper. Other notable events included U.S. Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur being designated commander of U.N. forces in Korea in 1950 and the death of North Korean President Kim Il Sung in 1994. The day also saw Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's re-election in 2009 and the first successful face transplant in 2010, among other significant occurrences.