Shinzo Abe, Ex-Japan Prime Minister Shot: In this image from a video, Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, falls on the ground in Nara, western Japan, July 8, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP)Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister, who was shot at during an election campaign in western Japan’s Nara city, is in grave condition and doctors are working very hard to save him, sitting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told the press on Friday. The Nara fire department had earlier said that the 67-year-old Abe was in cardiopulmonary arrest before he was taken to the hospital.
A 41-year-old man Tetsuya Yamagami, believed to be a resident of Nara City, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for shooting at Abe, reported Japanese media house NHK quoting police sources. Another media house Fuji TV reported that he is a former member of the maritime self-defence force. He appears to have shot at the ex-Prime Minister from behind with a shotgun. Shots were heard and a white puff of smoke was seen as Abe made a campaign stump speech outside a train station, NHK said.
In footage aired on TV, Abe is seen collapsing on the street, with several security guards running toward him. Abe is seen holding his chest as he collapsed and his shirt is seen smeared with blood.
Shinzo Abe, then-Prime Minister of Japan, seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi, on December 12, 2015. (Express Photo by Renuka Puri.)
Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who had met with Shinzo Abe during his 2006 tenure as Japan PM, said his prayers are with Abe and his family.
"Deeply shocked by the tragic attack on my friend former Prime Minister Abe. My prayers are with him and family," said Dr. Singh.
Sitting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that the condition of Shinzo Abe is serious.
"It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated. We will do everything we can...At this moment, doctors are working very hard to save Mr. Abe," said Kishida. He had suspended his election campaign on Friday following the shooting and headed to the capital city of Tokyo from Sagae City in Yamagata Prefecture, news agency Reuters reported.
The government said there was no plan to postpone the election but most major parties stopped their campaigns, reported Reuters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply distressed by the attack on Shinzo Abe.
Photos of the gun that was used to shoot the former PM Abe have emerged on social media. Broadcaster NHK too has shared footage of the weapon.
A 41-year-old man Tetsuya Yamagami, believed to be a resident of Nara City, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for shooting at Abe, reported Japanese media house NHK quoting police sources.
He is believed to be an ex-military member — a former maritime self-defence force member, reported Fuji TV.
A witness to the attack told NHK that the apparent shooter did not attempt to escape after the shooting. He instead laid down the gun and remained on the spot as he was caught by security personnel.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed on Friday deep concern over the condition of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot while campaigning in the city of Nara.
"Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan," Blinken said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali. "This is a very, very sad moment. And we're awaiting news from Japan." (Reuters)
Former Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot at Friday in the western city of Nara while campaigning for the upcoming upper house election, a Reuters report said quoting a government spokesperson. The 67-year-old ex-world leader is showing no vital signs after being rushed to hospital, said news agency AFP quoting Japanese media. A suspect was detained at the scene and is being questioned, the report added.
“Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo collapsed during a speech in the city of Nara, in western Japan. Initial reports say he may have been injured. An NHK reporter on site heard something that sounded like a gunshot, and saw Abe bleeding,” the agency said in an alert.
The suspect in Abe's shooting is a former maritime self-defence force member, said Reuters quoting Japan-based Fuji TV.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that he was shocked by the news of former PM Abe's shooting and that his thoughts and prayers are with Abe and his family.
Former PM Shinzo Abe collapsed immediately after he was hit by a second gunshot, said a woman who witnessed the incident in person, reported Japan-based NHK news website.
She told the news outlet that a man approached Abe from behind while he was delivering a speech. She said that though she didn't see anyone fall after a loud first gunshot, she saw the former PM collapse right after the second one.
She added that the apparent shooter did not attempt to escape after the shooting and instead laid down the gun and remained on the spot as he was caught.
Confusion prevailed after 67-year-old Shinzo Abe, former PM of Japan, was shot at during an election campaign at Nara city.
Japan's Nikkei cut some of its early gains on Friday after Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot.
By 0354 GMT, the Nikkei index had risen 0.5% to 26,631.72, after climbing as much as 1.4% earlier in the session. The broader Topix index had risen 0.58% to 1,893.43.
"The impact (of this incident) on the stock market was limited as he is no longer a prime minister. Also his "Abenomics" economic stimulus has been taken over by the current administration," said Shigetoshi Kamada, general manager at the research department at Tachibana Securities. "Rather, the Nikkei had gained too much earlier in the session." (Reuters)
A 41-year-old man Tetsuya Yamagami, believed to be a resident of Nara City, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for shooting at Shinzo Abe, reported Japanese media house NHK quoting police sources.
Abe was shot at twice while he was attending an election campaign in a street in Nara.
Shinzo Abe comes from a political family. His grandfather Nobusuke Kishi was PM (1957-60), then his father Shintaro Abe was Foreign Minister (1982-86).
In 2020, Abe became Japan’s longest-serving PM by consecutive days in office, overtaking the record of Eisaku Sato, his great-uncle, who served 2,798 days during 1964-72. Abe had first become the country’s PM in 2006, but resigned in 2007 due to illness. His current stint began in 2012.
In a video shared on social media, onlookers are seen flinching as former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was shot at in the middle of an intersection in western Japan's Nara city.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said that he did not know Shinzo Abe's current condition.
"Such an act of barbarity cannot be tolerated," he said.
Shinzo Abe has been hit towards the left of his chest as multiple shots were fired by the attacker, reports TBS. One appears to have hit the former PM in the neck. (Reuters)
The United States is "saddened and shocked" by the shooting of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe, US ambassador Rahm Emanuel said on Friday.
"Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States," Emanuel said in a statement. "The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and the people of Japan." (Reuters)
The moment that former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot at was caught on TV as the leader was in Nara city in western Japan for an election campaign.
Abe was in cardiopulmonary arrest before he was taken to the hospital, said Nara city fire department on Friday.