Abe, 67, was shot in the back in Nara, western Japan, while delivering a campaign speech. He was airlifted to hospital but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who rushed back to Tokyo from campaigning around the country, called the shooting “senseless and barbaric.” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking to the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea at a tripartite meeting in Bali, said Abe’s killing was “deeply troubling” and “a personal loss for so many people”. “For the United States, Prime Minister Abe has been a great partner and someone who has clearly been a great leader for Japan and the Japanese people,” Blinken said, adding that Abe, during his tenure, “brought the relationship between of our countries. the United States and Japan — to new heights.’ Leaders from Turkey to Singapore condemned the attack and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the shooting “abhorrent”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted his “heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Japan at this difficult time.” “This heinous act of violence has no justification,” he added. South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol’s office said the shooting that killed Abe was “an unacceptable criminal act.” Iran condemned the shooting as a “terrorist act”. “As a country that has been a victim of terrorism and has lost great leaders to terrorists, we are following the news closely and with concern,” said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman. People in Japan may be seen reading extra editions of the Friday newspaper with Abe’s picture large on the front page, or stopping to watch the news on television. Public broadcaster NHK aired dramatic footage of Abe delivering a speech outside a train station in the western city of Nara. He is standing, dressed in a navy blue suit, raising his fist, when two shots ring out. The footage then shows Abe collapsing on the street. “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the violent attack against former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” the White House said in a statement shortly afterward. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier expressed her shock at the shooting. He said Abe was one of the first leaders he met after taking office and described him as deeply committed to his role, generous and kind. “I remember him asking after the recent loss of our pet when I met him, a small gesture but it speaks to the kind of person he is,” Ardern said. “Events like this shake us all to the core.” In the NHK video, security guards can be seen jumping over a man in a gray shirt who is lying face down on the pavement. A double-barreled device that appeared to be a handgun is seen on the ground. Police arrested a suspected gunman at the scene. Under Japanese law, possession of firearms, as well as certain types of knives and other weapons such as guns, is illegal without a special permit. Importing them is also illegal. Leaders from Germany, Pakistan, Sweden and the Philippines were among those who expressed their condolences, and several countries, including Spain and France, expressed their solidarity with Japan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Saturday a day of national mourning as a sign of deep respect for Abe. “Sir. Abe has contributed immensely in elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a special strategic and global partnership. Today, the whole of India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters at this difficult time,” said Monty. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Abe was one of Australia’s closest friends and “a giant on the world stage”, adding that his “legacy has resonated globally and deeply and positively for Australia. He will be greatly missed.” Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose term from 2005 to 2021 overlaps largely with that of former Japan’s Shinzo Abe, said she was “deeply shocked and devastated” by the news that he had died from injuries that ” provoked to a cowardly and despicable murder. hours earlier.” “My first thoughts are with his wife and family,” he said in a statement. “I feel sorry for them. I wish them comfort and support.” Taiwan’s government said “Abe has spared no effort to push for the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations for many years,” noting Abe’s push amid the COVID-19 pandemic for the Japanese government to donate vaccines to Taiwan. Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi expressed his deepest condolences and said Italy embraces the Abe family, the government and the Japanese people. “Italy is disappointed at the terrible attack against Japan and its free, democratic dialogue. “Abe has been a major player in Japanese and international political life in recent decades, thanks to his innovative spirit and reformist vision,” Draghi said in a statement. Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt noted that Abe was killed “while campaigning for his fellow citizens. All politicians must be safe while carrying out their work for democracy.” Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who chairs the Group of 20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia, mourned Abe’s “untimely passing” and said he would “always be remembered as a great example for all”. “It is with great disappointment that all of us as participants have just learned that the former prime minister of Japan has died after the assassination,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said after the summit. “My thoughts, our thoughts here at the G-20 meeting are with his family, with his friends, and with great sadness we also send our regards to all the citizens of Japan.” In China, however, Abe’s firing drew backlash from tens of thousands of nationalist citizens on social media. Some quipped, “I hope he’s not okay,” while dozens half-jokingly called the gunman a “hero” or “anti-Japanese hero.” Others said Abe’s wounds were a solace to the souls of people who had died in Japan’s invasion of China during World War II. While not necessarily the view of most Chinese, the posts reflect strong public sentiment – encouraged by government propaganda – against right-wing Japanese politicians who question or deny that the military committed atrocities in China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian declined to comment. He said China expressed its condolences to Abe’s family and that the shooting should not be linked to bilateral relations.
Associated Press reporters around the world contributed to this report.
