Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was unemployed and had served in the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) for three years until 2005, according to police.

He was arrested in the Japanese city of Nara where he allegedly shot Abe, who was delivering a campaign speech ahead of the July 10 upper house election.

Yamagami, when apprehended, admitted his intention to kill Abe whom he believed was connected to a religious organization that had bankrupted his family, The Asahi Shimbun reported, citing investigative sources.

"My family joined that religion and our life became harder after donating money to the organization," Yamagami was quoted as saying by the sources.

The suspect told investigators that he initially targeted the organization's leader, "but it was difficult," so he decided to change target.

"I took aim at Abe since I believed that he was tied [to the organization]. I wanted to kill him," he said. Yamagami also admitted that he attempted to make explosives.