Statement re Shooting of Former PM Shinzo Abe in Japan by Yasue Erikawa

Assistant Pastor Kyle Toffey gave a meaningful sermon based on chapter 7, “The Principles of Restoration,” of the Divine Principle. He discussed the meaning of the “History and I” section, which states that “God’s providence for mankind depends on individuals.” From our personal perspective that means it depends on me. In my mind, I must be aware of several important factors:

I am the product of history and of God’s Dispensation for Restoration.

I am the person who must fulfill the purpose of history, which is to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.

I must know God’s heart and fundamental will as well as man’s providential mission in order to achieve restoration.

Statement on Shooting of Former PM Shinzo Abe by Yasue Erikawa, President, Japan Sanctuary Association

First of all, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences on the passing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Now, at around 11:30 a.m. on July 8, the shooter of former Prime Minister Abe, which occurred suddenly at the head of Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station in Nara City, was caught in the act, and subsequently, through media reports, the motive of the suspect, Yamagami’s motive, etc. were announced.

According to the report, the suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, stated that his mother is a member of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (hereinafter referred to as “Family Federation”) and that he targeted Shinzo Abe because he knew that he was close to the Family Federation. We hereby send the following statement.

(1) The Japan Sanctuary Association has no contact or relationship with the suspect Tetsuya Yamagami.

The suspect has never attended any of our meetings in the past.

Furthermore, the suspect’s affiliation with an offshoot of the Family Federation for the Unification of World Peace, which has been attributed to the Sanctuary Association, is not based on any information at all, but on speculation and malicious manipulation of impressions by the media and others, and we demand that it be retracted.

(2) In addition, the report that the mother of the suspect, Ms. Yamagami, has been giving donations to religious organizations, but we, the Japan Sanctuary Association, have never received a single yen.

(3) Regarding our association’s relationship with former Prime Minister Abe, it is true that we, as freedom, justice, and peace-loving Japanese citizens, respect former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and have supported him in many of his policies and endeavors. However, there is no evidence that former Prime Minister Abe sent us a congratulatory telegram, came to our rally, or did anything with us.

We are shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe by Mr. Yamagami, and we can only pray for the repose of his soul.

(4) We are also aware that the media is spreading many misleading arguments with preconceived notions about the Association’s stance on guns, but we are also aware that the Association, which is headquartered in the United States, takes its right to keep and bear arms to protect freedom and security granted by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution very seriously. We are aware of this. The Association abides by the laws under the Constitution of Japan and is in no way engaged in any illegal activities.

We demand an apology and ask for a retraction of any action with malicious intent linking our sanctuary association to the crime of the gun charge against Mr. Yamagami.

Japan Sanctuary Association

General President Yasue Erikawa