Petition Requesting the Avoidance of Life Imprisonment for Defendant Tetsuya Yamagami

Notice: This petition unequivocally condemns the criminal act in question and, while doing so, calls for the defendant’s life history and mitigating circumstances to be fully taken into consideration in the court’s sentencing determination.

This petition is an independent, voluntary civic initiative undertaken by an individual and has no affiliation whatsoever with any political party, religious organization, or group.

-Purpose of the Petition

While clearly rejecting and condemning the criminal act, this petition respectfully requests that the court refrain from imposing a sentence of life imprisonment.

From an early age, I myself was raised in an environment marked by domestic violence and emotional neglect, and I have lived much of my life struggling with a sense of hardship and alienation.

Despite longing for mutual love and acceptance within my family, I experienced the pain of those wishes remaining unfulfilled, at times nearly losing my sense of purpose and self-worth.

Through these experiences, I came to hold a strong conviction that the cycle of violence and suffering must be broken somewhere.

Let me state this clearly at the outset.

The actions of Defendant Tetsuya Yamagami are unacceptable under any circumstances.

I express my deepest condolences for the precious life of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which was tragically taken.

At the same time, I believe we must not view this incident solely as an act of individual violence.

Rather, we should also ask why such a tragedy occurred and confront, as a society, the underlying factors that led to it.

What has emerged through media coverage and court proceedings is the image of a person who was gradually driven into a corner by long-standing family difficulties, economic hardship, and social isolation.

Understanding the defendant’s life background and considering it as mitigating circumstances in sentencing does not equate to justifying or excusing the crime.

Because we understand the gravity and irreplaceable value of human life, we believe it is essential to carefully reflect—before imposing irreversible punishments such as the death penalty or life imprisonment—on the possibility of rehabilitation, human dignity, and the responsibility society bears.

Defendant Tetsuya Yamagami is also a human being who has lived within a chain of suffering.

Rather than completely severing him from society, providing an opportunity to live again and time to continue confronting his wrongdoing may represent a meaningful step toward preventing similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

We respectfully ask for your understanding, support, and signature for this petition seeking the avoidance of life imprisonment for Defendant Tetsuya Yamagami.

In order for our society to choose a path that does not end with punishment alone, and that strives to prevent the repetition of such tragedies, your voice is essential.

This petition respects the authority and independence of the judiciary while calling for careful and conscientious consideration in sentencing.