Shinzo Abe's crazed killer believed the former Prime Minister was tied to a religious group which allegedly bankrupted his mum.
Gunman Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, has reportedly admitted he intended to kill 67-year-old Mr Abe in the shooting.
Yamagami was arrested after he shot the politician with a homemade gun as he delivered a campaign speech in the city of Nara.
The shooter has been described by a previous employer as a "quiet" worker who avoided his colleagues and ate lunch alone.
Yamagami told police he carried out the assassination because he wanted to hit back at a religious group that his mum donated towards, ruining the family's finances.
According to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, Yamagami told officers: "My family joined that religion and our life became harder after donating money to the organisation.
“I had wanted to target the top official of the organisation, but it was difficult. So, I took aim at Abe since I believed that he was tied (to the organisation). I wanted to kill him.”
Yamagami was unemployed at the time of the attack, although he previously worked as a forklift driver at a warehouse in Kyoto prefecture.
An official at the agency that hired him described him as "quiet".
The official added: "He hardly spoke and did not spend time with people around him. He ate lunch alone inside his car.”
Yamagami is believed to be a veteran of Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force, the country's equivalent of a navy.
Police raided the shooter's residence and discovered an "explosive-like item".
Footage from Japanese TV showed officers seizing what appeared to be a multi-barrelled firearm - similar to the one used in the assassination.
Disturbing footage showed the moment Mr Abe was shot dead while standing in the streets of Nara.
Two terrifying loud bangs could be heard as the shooter opened fire in the footage.
The person filming the speech then scrambles to the ground in fear but eventually manages to return the camera's focus back on the politician.
The video then shows gun-wielding Yamagami being tackled by three security officers, around 11.30 am local time / 3.30 am BST.
Mr Abe then holds his chest as he collapses, with his shirt visibly smeared with blood.
An autopsy revealed he suffered two gunshot wounds on his upper left arm and neck.
He had another neck wound, although it is not clear how it was caused.
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A team of more than 20 doctors tried to save his life, but sadly the bleed was too big despite a full blood transfusion being given.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the killing was “incredibly sad”, adding: “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many.
"My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time."
