Outrage: Abe Killing Called “Socially Justified”

Mainichi Shimbun, one of Japan’s largest papers, forced to issue apology after describing Shinzo Abe killing as “socially justified”

Tokyo, 17th October 2025 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.

Mainichi Shimbun apologizes after backlash over calling Abe assassination “socially justified” (社会的意義) in series announcement

by editorial staff of Sekai Nippo

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See also Murder of Abe Was Terrorism ‒ Trial Must Say So

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See also Buddhist head: “Donations as Spiritual Training”

On 15^th October, the Mainichi Shimbun [one of Japan’s leading newspapers] announced in its newsletter that it would begin a feature series on the trial of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (安倍晋三). In doing so, it described the incident as having “social justification” (社会的意義) [See editor’s note below]. After this wording sparked outrage online, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), the paper issued an apology on 17^th October, calling the phrase “an inappropriate expression”.

In the July 2022 assassination of Abe, suspect Tetsuya Yamagami (山上徹也) has been indicted on charges including murder and violation of the firearms and swords law. The pretrial procedures are ongoing, and the first hearing is scheduled for 28^th October at the Nara District Court. The verdict is expected in January 2026.

In its newsletter, Mainichi announced that it would launch a serialized feature titled “The Bullet” (凶弾) in late October. It explained:

“The incident drew attention to issues such as the illegal donation solicitations by the former Unification Church and the suffering of ‘second-generation believers’ whose parents’ faith caused them hardship. This ultimately led to a dissolution order against the organization. We will take another look at the social justification for the incident.”

Following this announcement, fierce criticism poured in from politicians, commentators, and ordinary users, with comments such as “Are you justifying murder?” and “You’re promoting terrorism.” As of 3 p.m. on the 17th, total engagement – likes, shares, and comments – had exceeded 210,000.

On October 15, Islamic studies scholar Akari Iiyama (飯山陽), who is running for the Tokyo 15th district by-election with the Japan Conservative Party, posted on X:

“It seems the Mainichi Shimbun is launching a series later this month claiming there was ‘social justification’ for Abe’s assassination.”

Her post quickly went viral. By 17^th October, X had listed the topic under its “Today’s News” section, titled

“Mainichi Shimbun Faces Backlash Over Abe Assassination Series: Accusations of Terrorism Endorsement Flood In.”

It summarized:

“The incident involved Tetsuya Yamagami, who, motivated by resentment toward the Unification Church, shot and killed Abe with a homemade gun. The planned series has sparked debate over media ethics and reporting attitudes.”

As of 6 p.m. that day, there were more than 27,000 posts on the topic.

Literary critic Eitaro Ogawa (小川栄太郎) commented, “I’m too enraged for words.”

Writer and journalist Takamasa Kadota (門田隆将) said, “I feel that this company has completely lost its reason to exist.”

Other harsh comments included: “A terrorism-glorifying newspaper,” “Society would be better off without Mainichi Shimbun,” and “It was simply a crime – nothing more, nothing less.”

On 17th October, Mainichi Shimbun issued an apology:

“In the introduction to the feature series ‘The Bullet’ mentioned in our newsletter sent on the 15th, we used the phrase ‘the social justification of the incident.’ This was an inappropriate expression. We apologize. We will correct and resend it.”

In the revised introduction, the wording was changed to:

“We will take another look at the impact the incident had on society.”

According to Kōjien (a major Japanese dictionary),

“igi” (意義, significance) is defined as “the value or importance something holds in relation to other things.”

The Practical Japanese Expression Dictionary explains it as

“something that is rational and worth doing” or “something that has inherent value.”

See also Politics Fueled Japan’s Attack on Federation

See also Yamagami Trial: Peril of Romanticizing Terror

See also Murder of Abe Was Terrorism ‒ Trial Must Say So

See also Dissolution: Members’ Voices Ignored by Courts

See also Japan: Establishing A New Compensation Committee

See also Buddhist head: “Donations as Spiritual Training”

See also Defector: US Campus Culture Reminds Me of NKorea

Featured image above: Positional relationship between former prime minister Shinzo Abe and the shooter Tetsuya Yamagami on his assassination. Sourced from Nikkei.com. Photo: Asanagi / Wikimedia Commons. License: CC CC0 1.0 UPDD

[Editor’s note: The Japanese expression “社会的意義”(shakaiteki igi) literally means “social significance”. 意義 (igi) = meaning, significance, value, or importance. But contextually, it often implies something closer to “something that has value or justifiable importance in society.” It tends to carry a positive or purposeful nuance – not just a neutral observation.

In Japanese public discourse, when people say: 「この事件には社会的意義がある」 (“This incident has social significance”), it often implies “This event was meaningful for society,” or “This act had a justifiable purpose or impact in a social sense.”

It can sound like approval or moral validation, even if that wasn’t intended.

So when Mainichi Shimbun used it to describe the assassination of former PM Abe, readers interpreted it as “The assassination had social value or justification.” That felt deeply inappropriate, given the act was a murder.]

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