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Japan Holds Vigil for Abe

by VOA News

   A vigil was held in Tokyo Monday evening for former Japanese Prime
   Minister Shinzo Abe, a day before his funeral.

   He was gunned down Friday while delivering a campaign speech in the
   western city of Nara.

   The assassination has shocked Japan, where gun violence is extremely
   rare.

   The suspect -- 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami -- is a former member of
   the country's Self-Defense Forces.

   The suspect -- 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami -- is a former member of
   the country's Self-Defense Forces.

   Police say Yamagami believed Abe was connected with a religious group
   that Yamagami blames for his mother's financial ruin.

   South Korea's Unification Church said Monday that Yamagami's mother was
   a member, but denied taking large sums from her.

   Neither the suspect nor Abe was a member of the church, but apparently
   Yamagami believed Abe was.

   Abe had, however, supported the church's peace-promoting efforts over
   the years.

   Some information in this report came from The Associated Press.