4th Anniversary of Shinzo Abe's Assassination: Akie Abe Says She Thinks of Him Every Day

(Central News) - July 8, 2022, marked the fourth anniversary of the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot and killed while giving a campaign speech in Nara City. His wife, Akie Abe, speaking about her feelings after her husband's death, admitted, "There hasn't been a single day I haven't thought of him."

According to the Asahi Shimbun, a flower-offering stand has been set up in front of Kintetsu Nara Station in Nara City, the scene of the incident. Many people visited early in the morning to offer flowers and pay their respects, and at 11:31 AM, the exact time of Abe's assassination, a moment of silence was observed.

In an interview with Kansai TV on the eve of the fourth anniversary, Akie Abe said, "Even today, people still talk about him, so I think of him every day."

Regarding her feelings towards the suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, Akie Abe stated that from the moment she first saw him on television, she didn't have strong emotions, feeling only a sense of calm. "I hope that feelings of hatred do not continue to spread."

Shinzo Abe, 67, was shot and killed on July 8, 2022, while giving a campaign speech for a senatorial candidate on the north side of Kintetsu Nara Station in Nara City. He was shot by Tetsuya Yamagami with a homemade gun and died after being taken to the hospital. Yamagami was indicted for murder and violation of the Firearms and Swords Control Law, among other charges. In January of this year, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Nara District Court, and he has since appealed the ruling.

A flower-offering stand was also set up at the scene this year, maintained by a private group, with police present for security. Supporters from various regions brought flowers to mourn, with many expressing that even after four years, they still find it difficult to accept Abe's death.

Rumi Yamada, a 60-year-old nursery school teacher from Nara City, who has visited to offer flowers for the third time, said, "Although four years have passed, the sadness has not disappeared, and I still feel a great sense of regret."

She believes that Abe improved the treatment of nursery school teachers during his tenure. "Abe maintained the sound operation of Japanese politics. If only he were still alive, I still think that way today."

Hiroshi Takahashi, a 46-year-old company employee from Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture, has visited to offer flowers every year. He lamented how quickly time has passed and expressed his inability to accept Yamagami's life sentence in the first trial.

Ichiko Yamamoto, a 75-year-old resident of Gojo City, Nara Prefecture, recalled that on the day of the incident, she was shopping at a supermarket when her husband informed her of the shooting of Abe, which shocked her to the point of almost being unable to stand.

She stated that her family still keeps a portrait of Abe and offers a prayer with clasped hands every day. "Even now, I still feel a great sense of regret." (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150708

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