The case centers on a man who opposed a religious organization and expressed his grievances in a written note. He portrayed himself as a critic who had found fault with the group and claimed to have aligned with others who shared a strong opposing view. The letter hinted at a deeper personal conflict tied to the organization, and it suggested there were people who understood his perspective and his urgency in speaking out.
Authorities identify the suspect as Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old former military officer. They say he held a long-standing grudge against the organization, which he associates with the financial ruin of his family and the fracturing of his family relationships. There was also a mistaken belief that the former prime minister had formal ties to the group, which appeared to intensify the motive in the eyes of the killer.
Before carrying out the attack, Yamagami sent a letter to a person who had criticized the religious group and he published his critical views about the organization on a blog. In the letter, Yamagami described himself as someone who valued his connection to what he called real-world supporters, while also asserting that his target was not the former prime minister personally but the public role he represented. He stressed that his conflict extended beyond the public figure and into the broader dynamics of the organization’s influence.
The killer explained to investigators that his mother’s substantial donations to the church had destabilized their family life. He claimed that the total donations reached about 100 million yen, a sum roughly equal to 715,000 euros, and he linked these financial burdens to his personal and familial struggles. After reviewing a video of the former leader participating in an event connected to the organization in September 2021, Yamagami aimed to strike at the target while recognizing the challenges of reaching senior members of the group who might shield their leadership from direct engagement.
The incident occurred on July 8 in Nara, where the former prime minister was delivering a campaign speech. The attack involved a homemade weapon that resembled a shotgun, and it resulted in fatal injuries that led to the death of the public figure during the event. The case has prompted intense scrutiny of the organization’s activities and the broader impact of religious groups on private life and political life in the country, as investigators continue gathering details and context surrounding the motivations and communications of the suspect.