“I wanted to see it with my own eyes”

December 18 marked the 15th court session and the final proceedings before sentencing. Unlike previous appearances, Yamagami was seen touching his face and fidgeting, appearing visibly restless.
At the opening of the session, a written statement by Abe Akie, the widow of the former prime minister, was read in court.

Statement by Abe Akie
“My husband believed that Japan should ‘flourish at the center of the world.’ He used to say, ‘Politics is something you do at the risk of your life. If anything ever happens to me, make sure you issue a dignified statement.’ My heart tightened. I never imagined that such a day would truly come.
Many things have been said about this incident by the media and others, but I wanted to come to court to see with my own eyes what feelings the defendant had when he took my husband’s life.”

Abe Akie had appeared in court only once before, quietly watching Yamagami as if peering into his state of mind.

Statement by Abe Akie 
“The sense of loss will never disappear for the rest of my life. I ask that the defendant face what he has done squarely and properly atone for his crime.”

Prosecution: “The victim has nothing to do with the defendant’s upbringing”

Yamagami listened without changing his expression.
The prosecution argued that Yamagami harbored resentment toward the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification—formerly known as the Unification Church—after his mother made massive donations to the group, and that he targeted former Prime Minister Abe due to Abe’s alleged ties to the organization.
Whether Yamagami’s upbringing influenced the crime has been a central issue in the trial.

Prosecutors first delivered their sentencing recommendation.

Prosecution
“While we do not deny that the defendant experienced hardship in his upbringing, he was living as a member of society capable of distinguishing right from wrong. The victim had nothing to do with the defendant’s upbringing.
The crime was short-sighted, self-centered, and showed extreme disregard for human life. Even after considering past sentencing precedents and factors favorable to the defendant, there is no basis for leniency. We therefore seek a sentence of life imprisonment.”

As prosecutors requested life imprisonment, Yamagami furrowed his brow, grimaced, and appeared to mutter something under his breath.

Defense: “Encounter with the former Unification Church was the beginning of hell”

The defense took a starkly different stance.

Defense
“The defendant’s upbringing lies at the very core of this case. It is not merely a background factor but the most critical circumstance that must be given primary consideration.”

The defense argued that Yamagami’s life history was connected to the crime.

Defense
“The defendant’s encounter with the former Unification Church marked the beginning of hell. The defendant must be recognized as a victim of religious abuse. His devastating life experiences were directly connected to the offense.
A life sentence would be excessively severe in this case.”

The defense asked the court to limit the sentence to no more than 20 years in prison.

Yamagami does not take the witness stand

The defendant was later given the opportunity to make a final statement.

Yamagami
“No.”

Yamagami did not take the witness stand. Looking somewhat fatigued, he left the courtroom in silence.

The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict in January next year.