Suspect: “I decided to kill him a year ago"

In response to the investigation, Yamagami stated that he aimed at former Prime Minister Abe, saying, "I had a grudge against a specific religious group and thought it was a close relationship." I decided to kill him a year ago. "
Last September, former Prime Minister Abe sent a video message to an event organized by a friendship group. He expressed his support for the world peace movement promoted by the leaders of the Order.

On the other hand, the head of the Order, Mr. Tanaka, explained that "Prime Minister Abe has never been registered as a member of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, nor has he ever been an advisor."
This is probably conjecture as to why the perpetrator (suspect) saw a connection between PM Abe and our organization but I think he did not distinguish between our organization and a friendship organization."

He also stated that he had initially planned to use explosives to kill the former Prime Minister, but changed his plan to an attack using a gun, saying that he only wanted to target former Prime Minister Abe.

Several handmade guns were seized from Yamagami's home, and it was also known that he was trying to shoot in the mountains.

Source: NHK