Tetsuya Yamagami is on trial for the assassination of Shinzo Abe, citing Abe's ties to the Moonies as his motivation.
Journalist and author Elle Hardy, of "Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity Is Taking Over the World," notes Yamagami's significant following and funding.
Yamagami's trial, which began on Tuesday, has sparked a broader examination of Japan's political system, with many viewing it as the true defendant.
The assassination of Shinzo Abe in July 2022 was a shocking event, given Japan's lack of a gun culture or history of assassination.
When Yamagami pulled the trigger... killing Shinzo Abe in a puff of white smoke at a suburban political rally, it seemed incomprehensible.
Author summary: Trial exposes Christian cult's influence on Japanese politics.