Otoya Yamaguchi, Japanese assassin of Inejiro Asanuma (d. 1960)

Who Was Otoya Yamaguchi? The Shocking Assassination That Shook Japan

Otoya Yamaguchi (born February 22, 1943 – died November 2, 1960) was a Japanese right-wing ultranationalist youth whose name became indelibly linked with one of the most dramatic and publicly witnessed political assassinations of the 20th century. At just 17 years old, Yamaguchi committed an act that would reverberate through Japanese society, politics, and culture for decades to come.

The Assassination of Inejirō Asanuma

The pivotal event occurred on October 12, 1960, during a televised election debate at the Hibiya Public Hall in Tokyo. The victim was Inejirō Asanuma, the charismatic chairman of the Japan Socialist Party, a prominent figure in the country's left-wing political landscape. As Asanuma spoke, Yamaguchi, clad in a school uniform, abruptly rushed the stage. In a shocking display of violence captured live on national television, he plunged a wakizashi short sword into Asanuma's abdomen, inflicting a fatal wound. The immediate aftermath was chaos, a stark image of political extremism playing out before a stunned nation.

Before this infamous act, Yamaguchi had been a member of Bin Akao's far-right Greater Japan Patriotic Party, a group known for its fervent nationalist and anti-communist stances. However, he had reportedly resigned from the party earlier that same year, suggesting a degree of independent radicalization leading up to the assassination.

Aftermath and Tragic End

Following the assassination, Yamaguchi was swiftly arrested and taken into custody. During his interrogation, he reportedly expressed his motivations, driven by his ultranationalist ideology and perceived grievances against Asanuma and the Socialist Party. Tragically, a little over two weeks after the assassination, on November 2, 1960, Otoya Yamaguchi committed suicide while in a detention facility. He used a small amount of toothpaste mixed with water to write "Seven lives for my country. Long live the Emperor!" on his cell wall before hanging himself with a bedsheet. This act further cemented his controversial legacy among his ideological sympathizers.

Yamaguchi's Enduring, Controversial Legacy

For the Japanese far-right, Otoya Yamaguchi rapidly transformed from an assassin into a hero and a martyr, his actions reinterpreted as a patriotic sacrifice. To this day, commemorations in his honor continue among certain ultranationalist groups in Japan, highlighting the persistent divisions within the country regarding its historical and political identity.

Inspiration for Copycat Crimes and Literature

Yamaguchi's actions, unfortunately, inspired a number of copycat crimes. One notable incident was the Shimanaka Incident in 1961, where another right-wing extremist attempted to assassinate the president of Chūō Kōron publishing house due to a short story that allegedly ridiculed the Imperial Family. Furthermore, the profound impact of the assassination resonated deeply within Japan's literary circles. The Nobel Prize-winning novelist Kenzaburō Ōe was greatly influenced by the event, exploring its psychological and societal repercussions in his powerful novellas Seventeen and Death of a Political Youth, offering a poignant reflection on radicalism and youth in post-war Japan.

The Iconic Photograph: A Moment Frozen in Time

Beyond the political and literary spheres, the assassination also produced one of the most iconic and enduring images of the 20th century. Japanese photojournalist Yasushi Nagao, working for Mainichi Shimbun, captured a dramatic photograph of the precise moment Yamaguchi lunged at Asanuma. This raw, visceral image, titled "Tokyo Stabbing," immediately garnered international attention. It went on to win the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year for 1960 and was subsequently awarded the 1961 Pulitzer Prize, cementing its place in the annals of photojournalism as a powerful and chilling historical record.

Frequently Asked Questions About Otoya Yamaguchi

Who was Otoya Yamaguchi?
Otoya Yamaguchi was a 17-year-old Japanese right-wing ultranationalist youth known for assassinating Japan Socialist Party chairman Inejirō Asanuma in 1960.
When did the assassination of Inejirō Asanuma occur?
The assassination took place on October 12, 1960, during a televised election debate.
How did Yamaguchi assassinate Asanuma?
Yamaguchi rushed the stage and stabbed Asanuma with a wakizashi (short sword) during a live televised debate at Hibiya Public Hall in Tokyo.
What was Yamaguchi's political affiliation?
He had been a member of Bin Akao's far-right Greater Japan Patriotic Party, though he had resigned earlier the same year of the assassination.
What happened to Otoya Yamaguchi after the assassination?
He was arrested and interrogated, but committed suicide in a detention facility on November 2, 1960.
What was the cultural impact of the assassination?
It inspired copycat crimes, such as the Shimanaka Incident, and influenced Nobel Prize-winning author Kenzaburō Ōe's novellas Seventeen and Death of a Political Youth.
Was there a famous photograph of the event?
Yes, Japanese photojournalist Yasushi Nagao captured the iconic moment of the assassination, which won the World Press Photo of the Year for 1960 and the 1961 Pulitzer Prize.