World News
Japanese ex-PM Shinzo Abe Killer Sentenced to Life Imprisonment
Tetsuya Yamagami, the man convicted of assassinating former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday, with the presiding judge describing the act as “despicable and extremely malicious.”
The assassination, which occurred in broad daylight during a campaign event in July 2022, shocked Japan, a nation with stringent gun control laws and limited experience of gun violence. The attack also drew scrutiny over alleged links between prominent conservative politicians and the Unification Church, a South Korean religious organization.
At sentencing, Judge Shinichi Tanaka emphasized that Yamagami, 45, had “deliberately shot Abe from behind when he was least expecting it,” underscoring the premeditated and malicious nature of the act. The courtroom, located in the city of Nara, saw significant public interest, with long queues of people seeking entry.
Yamagami displayed little emotion as the sentence was read. He had previously admitted guilt during the trial in October 2025, acknowledging charges of murder and violations of firearms regulations. His defense team has not yet decided whether to appeal, a process that must be initiated within two weeks under Japanese law.
Motive and Background
Prosecutors highlighted that Yamagami’s motive was linked to grievances against the Unification Church, which he believed had financially and socially devastated his family due to his mother’s extensive donations. Yamagami held the belief that influential politicians, including Abe, were supporting the Church. The judge acknowledged that Yamagami’s upbringing influenced his personality but stated that his criminal actions were ultimately his own decision and “deserve strong condemnation.”
The defense stressed Yamagami’s troubled upbringing, including the suicide of his brother, financial ruin of his family due to religious donations, and personal struggles, which they argued contributed to his state of mind. They urged the court to consider these circumstances as mitigating factors.
National Impact
The assassination prompted a national reckoning on security and the influence of religious organizations within politics. Investigations revealed close connections between the Unification Church and members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, resulting in the resignation of four government ministers.
Prosecutors emphasized the premeditated nature of the crime, noting that Yamagami had spent months crafting a homemade firearm and conducting test-firing exercises in a remote area prior to the attack. The incident also highlighted the effectiveness of Japan’s security protocols, as officials initially struggled to respond to gunfire due to the rarity of such attacks.
Japan’s life imprisonment system allows for the possibility of parole, though experts note that many convicted of such crimes remain incarcerated for life.
North Korea fired at least two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Tuesday, Japanese and South Korean authorities confirmed, marking the country’s second missile test this month.
The launch came a day after a senior Pentagon official visited Seoul and praised South Korea as Washington’s “model ally.”
The Japanese Coast Guard, citing the Ministry of Defence, reported that the missiles were detected heading toward the Sea of Japan and landed outside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff similarly confirmed that multiple ballistic missiles were fired toward the East Sea.
Analysts say Pyongyang has stepped up missile testing in recent years to enhance its precision strike capabilities, challenge Washington and Seoul, and evaluate weapons for potential export to Russia.
The tests follow increased military tensions on the peninsula, including joint US-South Korea exercises, which North Korea regularly condemns as preparations for invasion. Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un criticized South Korea’s plan to develop nuclear-powered submarines with US support, describing it as a “threat” that must be countered.
The missile launches underscore ongoing regional security concerns, as the United States continues to station approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea to deter aggression from the nuclear-armed North.
United States President Donald Trump has warned Canada that it will face a sweeping 100 per cent tariff on all exports to the United States if it proceeds with a proposed trade agreement with China, escalating already strained relations between the two North American neighbours.
The warning followed recent comments by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who during a visit to Beijing last week announced what he described as a “new strategic partnership” with China, resulting in a preliminary trade agreement aimed at reducing tariffs. Trump reacted sharply, cautioning that any move positioning Canada as a gateway for Chinese goods into the US market would attract severe economic consequences.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Canada would be “sorely mistaken” if it believed it could serve as a transit hub for Chinese products entering the United States. He further claimed that China would “completely devour” Canada’s economy, businesses and social fabric if such a deal were pursued. According to him, the conclusion of a Canada–China trade pact would trigger an immediate 100 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods crossing into the US.
Trump also referred to Carney as “Governor,” a recurring jibe reflecting his repeated suggestion that Canada should become the 51st state of the United States. The US president recently amplified that rhetoric by sharing a social media image depicting Canada, Greenland and Venezuela covered by the American flag.
Diplomatic tensions have intensified in recent days following Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned of a “rupture” in the US-led global order, remarks widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of Trump’s foreign policy posture. Trump responded a day later with a speech of his own and subsequently withdrew an invitation previously extended to Carney to join his so-called “Board of Peace,” an initiative initially framed around post-war Gaza but now seen as having broader ambitions.
Trump went further by asserting that Canada’s survival depends on the United States, telling Carney to “remember that” when making public statements. The Canadian prime minister rejected the claim, responding that Canada does not exist because of the United States but thrives because of its own national identity, while still acknowledging the longstanding partnership between both countries.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of deep economic interdependence. More than 75 per cent of Canadian exports are destined for the US market, making Canada particularly vulnerable to trade disruptions. Key sectors such as automobiles, aluminum and steel have already been affected by Trump’s global tariffs, though the impact has been partially softened by existing North American free trade arrangements.
Negotiations to revise the current trade framework are expected to begin later this year, with Trump repeatedly insisting that the United States does not require Canadian products—an assertion that analysts warn could have far-reaching consequences for Canada’s economy.
Despite the rising tensions, the United States, Canada and Mexico are jointly scheduled to host the World Cup later this year, underscoring the complexity of a relationship increasingly defined by sharp rhetoric alongside enduring economic and logistical cooperation.
Turkey, Saudi Arabia and several other predominantly Muslim nations have agreed to join the United States–backed Gaza “Board of Peace,” following an invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of Turkey and Saudi Arabia, alongside their counterparts from Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, confirmed their countries’ collective decision to participate in the initiative. Egypt and Pakistan had earlier announced their involvement separately.
The ministers reiterated their commitment to supporting the mandate of the Board of Peace as a transitional administrative authority for the Gaza Strip. They said the board’s mission is outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and has received backing through United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803.
So far, invitations have been extended to 60 countries as part of what is described as the second phase of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, much of which has been devastated by the prolonged conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
However, several European countries, including Germany and France, have adopted a cautious stance toward the initiative.
Diplomats familiar with the board’s charter have described it as a direct challenge to the United Nations, an institution President Trump has frequently criticised as ineffective. There are also indications that the U.S. administration may seek to broaden the board’s scope beyond Gaza to address global crises and conflicts.