Shinzo Abe, Japan's former Prime minister, was shot while he was giving a campaign speech in western Japan. He was airlifted into a hospital but NHK, the country's national broadcaster, later reported that he had died from his injuries. Multiple Japanese and international news outlets confirmed his death by citing officials from Abe’s political party as well as the hospital where he was being treated.
Makoto Morimoto, a local firefighter, stated that Abe was in cardiopulmonary arrest (or CPA), meaning that he wasn't breathing and that his heart had stopped. He was also airlifted to the hospital.
Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, told reporters that a male suspect had been arrested at the scene.
Matsuno stated, "A barbaric act such as this is absolutely unacceptable, regardless of the reasons, and we strongly condemn it."
Fumio Kishida (current Prime Minister) is a member of the same political party that Abe. He flew from Yamagata in northern Japan, his campaign destination, to Tokyo via helicopter. He said earlier that he wasn't aware of the motives or background of the attack. However, this act of brutality occurred during the elections, which is the foundation of democracy. It is unforgivable.
NHK broadcast video of Abe falling on the street as he ran toward security guards. He was apparently shot just minutes after he began to speak outside a western Nara train station. On social media, at least two gunshots are heard. A man who resembles Abe is heard speaking and a white plume smoke can be seen behind him.
According to Japan's Kyodo news agency Abe was shot in the neck and chest. However, doctors at the hospital where Abe was treated later stated that it was only two injuries to the neck that claimed Abe's life.
NHK quoted multiple military sources as saying that the suspect had been employed by Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years, from 2005 to 2005. According to NHK, the weapon used in this attack was homemade. According to police, the suspect told them that he had been dissatisfied by Abe and wanted him dead.
Others online videos show Abe's campaign officials entouring him in an apparent attempt at treating the former leader. He was still influential within the Liberal Democratic Party and led its largest faction Seiwakai. Sunday will see elections for Japan's lower house, which is the weaker chamber of its parliament.
This attack shocked a country with some of the most strict gun control laws in the world.
A spokesperson for the White House stated that the administration was shocked and saddened by the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo abe. He added that officials are "closely watching the reports and keeping our minds with his family members and the Japanese people."
U.S. Secretary Of State Antony Blinken said that Abe's assassination was "profoundly troubling" during a trip to Indonesia.
Blinken stated that he had expressed "the very deep condolences to the United States" during a meeting with his Japanese counterpart.
The top U.S. diplomat said that "this is shocking." It's a deeply disturbing event in itself. It is also a very personal loss for many. The United States considered Prime Minister Abe an exceptional partner and a leader.
Abe was credited for bringing U.S.-Japan relations to "new heights" during his tenure in office. He also called Abe "a leader with great vision and the incredible ability to work towards that vision."
India's premier leader Narendra Modi was one of the first to offer condolences following the death of Abe. He called the Japanese politician who was killed one of his "dearest friendships" and a "towering stateman."
Shinzo Abe, one of my closest friends, has died tragically. He was a formidable global leader and administrator, as well as a great global statesman. His life was dedicated to making Japan and the rest of the world a better place.
Abe, now 67, was Japan’s longest-serving prime Minister. Abe resigned in September 2020 because of health issues. Abe stated that he was still suffering from ulcerative colitis, which had caused him to resign in September 2020. Reporters heard him speak out about how it was difficult to complete many of his goals. He also spoke out about his failure to resolve the Japanese abduction by North Korea years ago, a territorial dispute between Russia and a revision to Japan's war-renouncing Constitution.
This was his last goal.
His ultra-nationalism angered China and Koreas, while his push for normalizing Japan's defense posture angered many Japanese. Poor public support prevented Abe from achieving his beloved goal of officially rewriting the U.S.-drafted, pacifist constitution.
According to Abe supporters, his legacy was a stronger U.S.–Japan relationship meant to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities. However, Abe also made enemies by forcing his defense goals through parliament and other contentious issues, despite strong public opposition.
Abe, a political blueblood, was trained to follow the steps of his grandfather Nobusuke Kishi, who was also a former Prime Minister. His political rhetoric was often about making Japan a normal and beautiful nation, with a stronger military and a bigger role in international affairs.
