After Shinzo Abe was shot while campaigning in western Japan on Friday, many considered him a friend, world leaders mourned his death. Abe was 67 years old and is the longest-serving prime minster in Japan.
Justin Trudeau, Canada's Prime Minister, said Abe's assassination is "incredibly shocking" and that he was "deeply saddened."
Trudeau tweeted, "The world has lost an extraordinary man of vision, Canada has lost close friends." His wife Akie and the Japanese people are in my thoughts as they mourn his loss. My friend, you'll be missed.
Yoon Suk Yeol (the president of South Korea) sent condolences and condemned the assassination to Japan.
The South Korean leader posted, "I send my condolences for former Prime Minister Shinzo abe's family" An act of terror during an election is a brutal attack on the foundation of democracy. This is completely unacceptable and I strongly condemn it."
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, tweeted "Incredible sad news" just days after he announced his resignation. Many will remember his global leadership in unchartered times. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the Japanese people. We stand with you in this sad and dark time.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, shared his "deepest condolences” to Abe's family as well as the Japanese people on Twitter.
Zelenskyy tweeted, "This heinous act is violence has no excuse."
In a French translation, Emmanuel Macron, the French President, said that Japan had lost "a great Prime Minister", who was dedicated to his country and worked for balance in the world.
The presidents of both sides expressed their sadness over the shooting in the United States. They also noted the strong partnership between Japan and the U.S. under Abe's leadership.
"I am shocked, outraged and deeply saddened to learn that Abe Shinzo (ex-prime minister of Japan) was shot and killed during campaigning," President Joe Biden stated in a statement Friday morning. This is a tragedy for Japan, and all those who knew him. I had the honor of working closely with Prime Minister Abe. As Vice President, he visited me in Tokyo and I welcomed him to Washington. He was a champion for the Alliance between our countries and the friendship among our people.
Biden said that gun violence always leaves a "deep scar" on the communities and that the United States stood with Japan during this time of grief.
Barack Obama, former President, said that he was "shocked by the assassination my friend and longtime companion."
Obama released a statement saying that former Prime Minister Abe was dedicated to Japan and the country he served. "I will always be grateful for the work we did together to strengthen our alliance, the moving trip to Hiroshima, Pearl Harbor, and the kindness he and Akie Abe showed me and Michelle. Michelle and I offer our deepest condolences for the Japanese people. We are thinking of them at this difficult time.
Trump was a former President who played golf with Abe and formed an alliance with him. He called the news that Abe had been shot "absolutely devastating" in a statement posted on Truth Social, his social media site.
Trump stated that Abe was a friend and a true friend before confirming Abe's death. "This is a terrible blow to Japan's people, who loved him so much.
