TOKYO: The first hearing for the man accused of killing Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe has been scheduled for October 28, local media reported Friday.

Tetsuya Yamagami, now in pre-trial detention, is accused of Abe’s broad-daylight shooting that shocked the world in 2022 while the former leader was on the campaign trail.

His trial was cancelled in 2023 when a suspicious item later found not to be dangerous was delivered to a court in western Japan’s Nara region, causing the building to be evacuated.

Yamagami, 44, is believed to have targeted Abe over his ties to the Unification Church, which he held a grudge against over large donations his mother made that bankrupted his family.

The church is the global sect whose members are sometimes referred to as “Moonies”.

Yamagami faces charges of murder and violation of arms control laws.

Public broadcaster NHK and other local media outlets reported the date for Yamagami’s first hearing as set for October 28, citing the Nara district court.

The court was not available for comment when contacted by AFP.

Yamagami does not intend to contest the murder charge levelled against him, the Asahi Shimbun daily said.

It reported an issue of contention would be whether his use of a handmade gun constituted the crime of open fire, and if his issues with the church meant there were extenuating circumstances.

In March the Tokyo District Court issued a dissolution order for the Japanese chapter of the Unification Church, saying it had caused “unprecedented damage” to society.

AFP