Japan branch of ‘Moonies’ church confirms mother of Abe suspect is member

Photograph of late former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe at a makeshift memorial outside the headquarters of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo, Japan July 12, 2022. © Kim Kyung-Hoon, Reuters

The Japanese branch of South Korea’s Unification Church this week acknowledged that the mother of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's suspected killer was a member. But the Unification Church denied allegations that it demanded large donations from anyone.

Tetsuya Yamagami, an unemployed 41-year-old, has been identified by police as the suspect who approached Abe and opened fire during a campaign speech on Friday.