Tokyo court sentences man to nine years for machete attack on NHK Party's Tachibana
In short
The Tokyo District Court on October 9 sentenced Shion Miyanishi (宮西詩音), 32, to nine years in prison for the attempted murder of Takashi Tachibana (立花孝志), 59, of the political group NHK Party (NHKから国民を守る党), whom he slashed with a machete in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, in March 2025. Prosecutors had sought 12 years and the defence five. Miyanishi admitted the charges.
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The Tokyo District Court on October 9 sentenced Shion Miyanishi (宮西詩音), 32, to nine years in prison for the attempted murder of Takashi Tachibana (立花孝志), 59, of the political group NHK Party (NHKから国民を守る党), Nippon TV News, Mainichi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and TBS NEWS DIG reported. Prosecutors had sought 12 years. Asahi named the presiding judge as Kazunobu Eguchi (江口和伸), and Mainichi reported that the case was a lay judge trial. Nippon TV, Asahi and TBS described Tachibana as the party's leader; Mainichi described him as a former upper house member who was the party's leader. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
According to the indictment, Miyanishi slashed Tachibana with a machete on a road in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, on March 14, 2025, intending to kill him. Asahi said the attack happened in front of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, where Tachibana had come to give a speech, while Nippon TV said it happened near the Ministry of Finance. Mainichi put the blade length at about 15.8 centimetres and Asahi at about 15 centimetres. Asahi reported cuts to Tachibana's head and left ear taking about three weeks to heal; Mainichi reported a head injury of about three weeks. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Miyanishi admitted the charges, and the sentence was the point of dispute, Asahi reported. Citing the prosecution's opening statement and the defendant's questioning, Asahi said he learned in January 2025 of the death of a former Hyogo prefectural assembly member, then 50, amid the issue over a Hyogo whistleblowing document, and concluded that Tachibana had spread defamation that drove the man to suicide. Asahi said Miyanishi had once supported and voted for Tachibana. TBS quoted him as telling the first hearing that he could not forgive Tachibana for driving a person to suicide through defamation despite his vote, and that he felt responsible. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Prosecutors called it a crime targeting a politician that denies democracy, according to Mainichi, and an act denying the rule of law, according to Asahi. TBS quoted them as saying the motive was very short-sighted and the defendant had shown no intent to apologise. The defence argued for five years, citing his social isolation; Asahi reported it also cited about six years with almost no conversation with others, traits of autism spectrum disorder, support arranged for after his release and a low risk of reoffending. TBS quoted the defence as saying he had not apologised to the victim but regretted the act. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Tachibana is in custody after being indicted for defaming the former assembly member; Mainichi said he was arrested and indicted in November 2025. He took part in the trial under the victim participation system. Nippon TV reported that when he asked Miyanishi whether he clearly felt apologetic toward him, Miyanishi answered "No." Asahi reported that Tachibana asked for the sentence prosecutors sought, saying he felt no hatred toward Miyanishi but that rehabilitation would take time. Nippon TV quoted Miyanishi as saying that although fortunately no life was lost, the fact that he committed attempted murder does not change, and that he would serve the sentence the judge hands down. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Prosecutors described the attack as a crime targeting a politician that denies democracy, according to Mainichi Shimbun. Tachibana, the victim, is himself in custody and on trial for defamation of a former Hyogo prefectural assembly member whose death the defendant cited as his motive.
Key facts
- The Tokyo District Court sentenced Shion Miyanishi to nine years in prison for attempting to kill Takashi Tachibana. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Prosecutors had sought 12 years; the defence argued five years was appropriate. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The attack took place on March 14, 2025, in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo; Tachibana was cut with a machete. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Miyanishi, 32, admitted the charges, and the sentence was the point of dispute at trial. [ 3 ]
- Tachibana, 59, is in custody, indicted for defaming a former Hyogo prefectural assembly member who died, and took part in the trial as a victim. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The case was heard as a lay judge trial. [ 2 ]
- Asahi Shimbun named the presiding judge as Kazunobu Eguchi (江口和伸). [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Tokyo District Court sentenced Miyanishi to nine years in prison for attempting to murder Tachibana. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Prosecutors had sought a 12-year sentence. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The defence argued a five-year sentence was appropriate. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Miyanishi admitted the charges. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- The attack took place in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo, on March 14, 2025. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Tachibana is in custody, charged with defamation, and took part in the trial as a victim. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Exact location of the attack. Asahi Shimbun said it was in front of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Nippon TV News said it was near the Ministry of Finance.
- Length of the blade. Mainichi Shimbun gave about 15.8 centimetres; Asahi Shimbun gave about 15 centimetres.
- Tachibana's current role in the NHK Party. Nippon TV, Asahi and TBS called him party leader; Mainichi said he was the party's leader and described him as a former upper house member.
- Whether the defendant is remorseful. Prosecutors said he had not reached true remorse and showed no intent to apologise; the defence said he regrets the act.