The man accused of assassinating former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has apologized to the ex-leader's family for the first time. Tetsuya Yamagami, who earlier pleaded guilty to murder, told the court on Thursday that he felt 'deeply sorry' towards Abe's widow, Akie. Yamagami used a homemade gun to shoot Abe during a political campaign event in the western city of Nara on 8 July 2022, leading to Abe's death that same day. His assassination sent shockwaves around the world, as Abe was known for a significant foreign policy and economic strategy called 'Abenomics.' In court, Yamagami stated, 'I have caused [the family] three and a half years of suffering... I have no excuse.' His revelation indicated that he acted out of blame towards Abe, alleging that the former prime minister promoted the Unification Church, which he claimed had financially ruined his family. This incident prompted investigations into the church, leading to a Tokyo court ordering its disbandment earlier this year. Yamagami's motives and connections to the church reveal a complex backdrop to this tragic event, as Abe's legacy continues to be scrutinized.