Japan extends detention for Abe's accused assassin

Like he gonna be released

So many people wondering why it takes so long. You have to remember this is the Land of the Rising Bureaucracy. Everything has to be faxed and hankoed by everyone at all the relevant stopovers.

Seeing as there are dozens of witnesses, video evidence that the entire nation has seen and he confessed, what’s the hold up?

This endless detention thing is ridiculous. Charge the man and try him.

Mainstream media still reluctant to say outright that the links between the LDP and the Unification Church (and specifically Abe's grandfather as the person who allowed the South Korea-based cult to set up shop in Japan, as well as Abe himself, who received money to speak at the UC's big event last year) are CONFIRMED, rather than rumored.

He can be detained until July 29, when prosecutors must decide whether to formally press murder charges.

"Whether"?? You'd think this would be an open and shut case considering the overwhelming amount of video evidence against the shooter, so why are they dawdling?

Though obviously guilty, I really hope this goes to trial so that ALL details about his intent can be fletched out in court and exposed to the public.

Rumor has it that this guy is working out in his jail cell, so he seems determined to stay alive and isn't suicidal. But I fear he will be conveniently Epsteined.

It just shows the ridiculously bureaucratic nature of the Japan justice system. Remember Shoko Asahara sat in prison for about 10 years getting three hots and a cot at taxpayer expense?!?!

If he's only a suspect can he be offered bail?

Accused assassin??? Everyone saw him do it.

Maybe you aren't from a country where the legal system presumes innocence? It's kind of a tenet of first-world legal systems. Basically, even if someone does a crime on camera, and the whole world sees it, legally they are innocent until they have been proven guilty in a court of law, and until that point, they are "accused", since they have not been found guilty.

"Accused" isn't a moral descriptor, it's a legal descriptor.

Once again the shooter is showing us how messed up the government is.

This whole scandle Abe shooting has been quite the eye opener or can of worms

Whether or not he receives a death sentence is I think 50/50 at best.

The criteria for a death sentence in Japan is a pretty high hurdle for just one murder, no matter how high profile the victim was.

I’m guessing 25 years.

A Red Army terrorist who torched 3 cops with a Molotov cocktail was released from jail a few years ago, after serving 25 years.

"Whether"?? You'd think this would be an open and shut case considering the overwhelming amount of video evidence against the shooter, so why are they dawdling?

You're freaking out over the description of the process. Description of processes are not specific to a case, they explain how things work. In Japan, you are arrested, and within 72 hours they have to arraign you, at which point the judge can extend detention for up to 10 days, Then they can extend for another 10 days (and in extremely special circumstances are able to petition for an additional 5 days. After this time, they must decide "whether" they will be put to trial. See how nothing there is specific to Abe's case? That's because they are describing the legal system, not implying that this guy does not deserve to be charged.

As for "dawdling", they have those 23 days to put together as strong a case they can, to ensure this guy is never out of jail. There is no rush at this point, it's more important to get it right.

You gotta be kidding me they are thinking of letting this guy go!!

They aren't. That interpretation is entirely due to your misunderstanding of how the Japanese legal system works, resulting in a misinterpretation of the actions of the police, and the way that this article is written. See my above points for clarity, and think about the fact that this guy just clearly executed a politician, and it becomes very clear that the idea they are considering letting this guy go is entirely ridiculous.

I am glad to see that Japan is handling this case in a fair and respectful manner, we are All Innocent Until Proven Guilty.

YeahRightToday 09:18 am JST

So many people wondering why it takes so long. You have to remember this is the Land of the Rising Bureaucracy. Everything has to be faxed and hankoed by everyone at all the relevant stopovers.

It is just the procedure here, that's it

Can't understand why they keep doing that.

We need a public trial, and with all these interrogations in a court room.

Despite what courtroom dramas would have you believe, all evidence and testimony presented in court must be reviewed by both the defending and prosecuting attorneys, and approved by the judge.

There is no “surprise witness” or “new evidence” in a courtroom and both would be dismissed anyways.

The police are extending detention to avoid any possible contradictions or discrepancies before the attorney can submit his case to the court.

The police are extending detention to avoid any possible contradictions or discrepancies before the attorney can

That's the problem. There's no attorney.

Interrogations with the police without a legal representative is futile. And unconstitutional.

At least he exposed the dirty underside of Japanese politics.

Accused assassin??? Everyone saw him do it.

You gotta be kidding me they are thinking of letting this guy go!! 

Calm down… they caught him red-handed, he has admitted to the crime, they have all sorts of evidence.

They are now just buying time to build a rock-solid case for the prosecutor to submit to the court. As it appears the perp had the foresight to set himself up for an insanity plea with his tweets, the Prosecution will want time to collect any evidence to prove otherwise, to give him the maximum possible sentence.

kaimycahlToday  10:07 pm JST

You gotta be kidding me they are thinking of letting this guy go!! He is definitely a danger to the public, if he was to be released he will probably make another gun and finish the job and that is go after the leader of the church and others. "He said that Abe was just one of the “sympathizers" of the church and that it would be impossible to kill all members of the church's founding family — hinting at his decision to target Abe instead". I understand Japan has its laws but this guy is guilty as sin!!! If they release him all criminals should be released who are sitting in jail cells in Japan this guy was caught no need for evidence.

Do you really believe what you have written here? Is this what you really think? Do you really believe that the authorities were considering releasing him? Please respond, I'd love to know what you are thinking.

Mirai HayashiToday  02:24 pm JST

Also, the fact that he used his SDF training to construct a weapon capable of killing someone also shows that this was well planned attack, rather than a mad man who acted out of emotion and anger.

"fact"? Really? Where can I read about this "fact"?

It was a well-planned attack by a madman acting out of emotion and anger. Whether or not he receives a death sentence is I think 50/50 at best.

Hmm I wonder what the legal formality was for extending his detention. The second shot?

Just my guess, but I think they are looking for more evidence that this was a premeditated and planned attack by person of sound my mind, so that he does not try to slimy out on an insanity defense. His statement to the press:

Yamagami allegedly said in the letter that he no longer had capacity to think about political consequences Abe's death may cause,

kind of proves this. By writing this letter, he was already setting up an insanity defense. Also, the fact that he used his SDF training to construct a weapon capable of killing someone also shows that this was well planned attack, rather than a mad man who acted out of emotion and anger.

They'll string it out as long as they can, find him guilty, and then keep him on death row for several years, telling him only in the morning that today is the day. This has to be the worst form of capital punishment.

You gotta be kidding me they are thinking of letting this guy go!! He is definitely a danger to the public, if he was to be released he will probably make another gun and finish the job and that is go after the leader of the church and others. "He said that Abe was just one of the “sympathizers" of the church and that it would be impossible to kill all members of the church's founding family — hinting at his decision to target Abe instead". I understand Japan has its laws but this guy is guilty as sin!!! If they release him all criminals should be released who are sitting in jail cells in Japan this guy was caught no need for evidence.

This loon will never eat steak again. He'll be very lucky if he avoids the death penalty.

guy will be hanged no doubt.

They do this to pretty much anybody they think is guilty in hopes that they collapse and confess under the pressure of their round-the-clock interrogations. This guy is obviously guilty; so many people have him on video but still, a confession is what they're probably seeking. FYI, they can hold you for a little more than 3 weeks while they wait for this and this is before they even charge you for the crime. lol

divinda, I was scrolling through all your recent comments, always on point. Thanks for contributing based on facts and in a meaningful way

dead penalty - stop him to killing others

He going to choke on a rope. His excuses and explanation to hunt, stalk and kill a Prime Minister is going to disappear as soon as the prosecutor lay out this domestic terrorist actions.