STATEMENT by Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU)

On the Assassination and Passing of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification International expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and to the people of Japan on the assassination and tragic death of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) has worked over the past 70 years now in 190 nations worldwide to realize a world of lasting peace by promoting ideal families through harmony and cooperation among people of diverse nationalities, religious and cultural backgrounds. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, FFWPU has collaborated with other associations and leaders from around the world to promote peace and reconciliation. To this end, several Rallies of Hope were held at regular intervals.

Last year in September, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a 6-minute video message to a Rally of Hope that addressed the theme of Peace on the Korean Peninsula. This year in February, Prime Minister Abe also offered a written message to delegates attending the Summit for Peace on the Korean Peninsula, sharing his grand vision for lasting peace in the world. Representatives and high officeholders from 157 nations with diplomatic ties to North and South Korea, including G20 nations such as the US, participated.

Following the sudden and tragic news of Prime Minister Abe’s assassination, the indiscriminate reports by some news media are spreading speculative news and rumors not based on facts. Therefore, FFWPU International would like to share facts it has verified from FFWPU-Japan.

The suspected killer of Prime Minister Abe (Mr. Yamagami Tetsuya – 41 years old), is not a member of FFWPU and there are no records indicating that he was ever affiliated with FFWPU in the past. The mother of the suspect has been attending FFWPU church events about once a month. The reported allegation from the suspect that the breakdown of his family was caused by the mother’s donations to the church will be fully revealed through the police investigation. However, the suspect’s claims that voluntary donations led to the breakdown of his family and the bankruptcy of his father’s business can only be seen as one-sided.

Furthermore, the suspect’s additional claim that Prime Minister Abe, one of the highest office holders in Japan, sent a 6-minute video to an event associated with us led him to target Prime Minister Abe and assassinate him makes no logical sense. FFWPU expects that the judicial authorities will fully investigate the mental state of the suspect and the cause of the murder, including any links to a tragic incident within the family induced by mental health problems.

FFWPU-Japan has addressed several allegations through its press conference today and has already announced that it will fully cooperate with the police if any request or queries come. We ask that all the media organizations, when covering this case, to please maintain your professional commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and objectivity.

Press coverage based on the one-sided claims by the suspect who does not appear in a normal mental state is not only an attack on the honor of FFWPU but could lead to a second victimization of Prime Minister Abe, the global peace leader who passed away tragically.

Violence and murder are unacceptable in a democratic society. These are inhumane and atrocious acts against human civilization. FFWPU will redouble its global efforts to realize a world of peace guided by a cosmopolitan outlook that transcends nationality or race and sees humanity as one global family.

Once again, FFWPU joins in heart and solidarity with noble men and women from around the world in expressing sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and to the people of Japan on the sudden and tragic passing of Prime Minister Abe. We pray that the grace and blessings of God be with Prime Minister Abe.

July 10, 2022

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification