Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died after being shot during an election campaign in Nara on July 8. (AP, file)Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister, who was shot at during an election campaign in western Japan’s Nara city, has died, news agency Reuters said quoting Japanese media house NHK. The Nara fire department had earlier said that the 67-year-old Abe was in cardiopulmonary arrest before he was taken to the hospital. They said that he had been wounded on the right side of the neck and the left clavicle. Abe’s wife Akie has reached the hospital, reported Japanese media.
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 reportedly a former member of the maritime self-defence force and appears to have shot at the ex-Prime Minister from behind with a homemade gun. The reason for the attack is yet to be confirmed.
PM Modi had earlier said he was deeply distressed by the attack on Abe. In footage aired on TV, Abe is seen collapsing on the street, with several security guards running toward him. The 67-year-old world leader is then seen holding his chest through his blood-smeared shirt as he collapsed.
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.)
Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan, has died, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK announced on Friday (July 8). He had earlier been unconscious and showing no vital signs after being shot at and wounded at an election meeting earlier in the morning. He was 67.
NHK said, “According to LDP officials, Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister, who was shot with a gun during the speech, died at a hospital in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, where he was being treated.”
The assassin was identified by the Japanese media as Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old, who was an ex-marine in Japan’s self-defence forces.
Abe — one of the most consequential leaders of Japan in its post-war history — was the country’s longest serving Prime Minister, having served two terms from 2006 to 2007 and then from 2012 to 2020. He announced in August 2020 that he would step down from his post following the resurfacing of a chronic illness. Abe, who was then 65, was due to be in office until September 2021. Read our Explained here
Fprmer Japanese PM Shinzo Abe already had no vital signs on arrival to hospital, the doctor said. He added that Abe's wound was deep enough to reach his heart. "Abe had sustained wounds around the right side of his neck," the Nara Medical University Hospital doctor said. "Abe was bleeding profusely and unfortunately and we could not save him." -- with inputs from Reuters
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will observe a day of national mourning on July 9 as a mark of respect to former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to late Japanese leader Shinzo Abe, terming him "a towering global statesman" and "an outstanding leader".
Sujan Chinoy, ex-ambassador to Japan, told news agency ANI that ex-PM Shinzo Abe had established a personal rapport with India.
"PM Shinzo Abe always had focus on Japan's defence & security. He often spoke about Asian 'Security Diamond' initiative, which later evolved into Indo-Pacific. In 2015, we roped in Japan as a participant in Malabar exercises. It had shared vision of PM Abe and PM Modi," Chinoy said.
He did a lot for our bilateral, special, strategic and global partnership, he added.
Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died, public broadcaster NHK said on Friday.
Abe, 67, had been delivering a stump speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was shot by an assailant. (Reuters)
Shinzo Abe's wife Akie has reached the hospital, reported Japanese media. NHK showed live footage of Abe's wife, Akie, on her way by train to the hospital where he is being treated, said a Reuters report.
Ex-PM Shinzo Abe was wounded on the right side of the neck and the left clavicle, said a Reuters report, quoting the Nara fire department.
China is shocked by the shooting of ex-Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, extends condolences to his family and hopes he will be out of danger and recover soon, a foreign ministry spokesman told a daily briefing in Beijing on Friday. (Reuters)
The suspect in Shinzo Abe's shooting has told the police that he was not motivated by grudge against the former Japan PM's political beliefs, reported Reuters quoting Japan's Kyodo news agency.
Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called a meeting of ministers at 0730 GMT (1 pm IST) to discuss the response to the shooting, reported Reuters, quoting Japan's Kyodo news agency.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that he was shocked by the news of Abe's shooting.
“Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time,” Albanese tweeted.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who was in Sydney meeting with Albanese on Friday, said she was “deeply shocked.”
“He was one of the first leaders I formally met when I became Prime Minister. He was deeply committed to his role, and also generous and kind. I recall him asking after the recent loss of our pet when I met him, a small gesture but one that speaks to the kind of person he is," Ardern said. "My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us all to the core.” (Reuters)
Police have identified the suspect as Tetsuya Yamagami, reported Reuters. He is believed to be a resident of Nara City and has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for shooting at Abe, reported Japanese media house NHK quoting police sources.
NHK quoted the suspect as telling police he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him. The 41-year-old man is reported to be an ex-military member — a former maritime self-defence force member, reported Fuji TV.
Japan’s longest-serving post-war premier, Abe occupied the top post for eight years between 2012 and 2020, and before that, from 2006 to 2007. The former prime minister announced his resignation in August 2020, citing health concerns. He later revealed he was being treated for ulcerative colitis, a chronic intestinal disease. He was succeeded by fellow Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Yoshihide Suga, who was later replaced by Fumio Kishida.
Following Abe’s resignation, he remained a central figure in Japan’s LDP, where he controlled one of its dominant factions.
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.