Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo appears to be at the center of a headline-grabbing story originating from an occurrence of gun violence—the accused was recently handed down an indefinite prison sentence. Given Abe's prominence, this incident has provoked a widespread public response, and the unusually harsh sentence sparks debate over Japan's judicial system. Exact details surrounding the case remain undisclosed at the moment.

In Japan, an event of gun violence, especially targeting a high-profile politician, is extremely rare due to strict gun control laws and low crime rates. Courts favor rehabilitation over punishment, so the ruling of a life sentence is uncommon and has caused a significant stir. Japanese people care immensely about societal order and law; hence, this instance has become a hot-button issue nationwide.

Unlike Japan, the United States and parts of the EU, which have a functioning second amendment and less strict gun laws, frequently face incidents of gun violence, sometimes involving public figures. Moreover, the concept and execution of a life sentence is much more common in American and certain EU judicial systems as a response to severe crimes.