The self-confessed assassin, who was previously a member of the Navy, denied investigators that he acted out of resentment over Abe’s political beliefs, according to the media. Originally he wasn’t even aiming for the right-wing conservative politician, but for a leader of the religious group.
His mother donated so much money to this group that it bankrupted them, according to reports. He confessed to wanting to kill Abe because he believed he supported the group. The man had shot Abe the day before during a campaign speech in the city of Nara on the street from a short distance from behind with a homemade gun.
Unification Church speculation
The fact that the Japanese authorities did not specify which religious organization was involved fueled speculation on the Internet that it might be the Unification Church, founded by Korean Sun Myung Moon in 1954. The organization also became known as the Moon sect, following the name of the longtime leader of the new religious movement. The Unification Church has members in many countries, including Japan, and supports conservative political causes with its strong anti-Communist leanings.
Politicians such as former US President Donald Trump and Abe are considered friendly to her, both praising the movement in speeches in 2021. But what fuels the speculation is the fact that Abe’s family had ties to the organization, most notably through his grandfather, former Prime Minister Kishi Nobusuke, and his father, former Foreign Minister Abe Shintaro. There is no confirmation of this theory by the authorities, perhaps also because they are politically sensitive.
found explosives
As the television station NHK reported, the assassin is said to have initially planned an attack with explosives, but then decided to build a firearm. The police seized explosives and home-made firearms in his apartment. According to his own statements, he had already gone to other campaign appearances by Abe. He may have been waiting for a good opportunity to attack Abe, it said.
Shock in the campaign finish
The assassination had caused horror all over the world. The assassination overshadowed the final day of the campaign for the elections to the upper house of the national parliament this Sunday. “We will never give in to violence,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called to listeners from the roof of a campaign bus in Yamanashi Prefecture near Tokyo. Instead of making direct physical contact with the citizens, as has been customary for politicians in Japan, he just waved. Elsewhere, too, campaign appearances took place under increased security measures.
Even before the attack, polls pointed to an election victory for Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which Abe had led for many years, and her coalition partner. They should secure a majority in the upper house on Sunday.
Security debate despite strict gun laws
The assassination attempt on Abe, meanwhile, raised questions as to why security personnel on the spot were unable to prevent the attack. According to the Japanese news agency Kyodo, the head of the local police admitted to shortcomings on Saturday. A personal security expert told the Japanese newspaper Nikkei (Saturday edition): “I don’t think there are enough firearm precautions in Japan with its strict gun laws.”
According to media reports, the National Police Authority now wants to check its security protocol for prominent personalities for deficiencies. Due to strict gun laws, almost no one carries a handgun, apart from soldiers and police officers. In 2021 there were exactly ten firearms incidents in Japan, eight of which were attributed to the yakuza, i.e. organized crime. Overall, there was only one fatality and four injured.
Messages of condolences from all over the world
According to NHK, there will be a wake for Abe on Monday and a burial with close family members the following day. Meanwhile, more condolences were pouring in from abroad, including from China’s President Xi Jinping. India ordered a day of mourning in memory of Abe on Saturday, with national flags flying at half-staff across the country.
Mourning following assassination in Japan
Japan is in mourning following the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The election on Sunday will take place as planned.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Abe’s funeral. In Melbourne, buildings should light up in the Japanese national colors of red and white on Saturday evening (local time). Something similar is planned for the famous Sydney Opera on Sunday.
India and Australia, along with Japan and the US, make up the quad group that Abe had championed heavily. This wants to stand up to China’s military and economic expansion in the region. In a phone call to Abe’s successor and fellow party member Kishida on Saturday, US President Joe Biden expressed his condolences. We have “unshakeable confidence in the strength of Japanese democracy.”
