Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe assassinated: What we know so far
Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe died after being shot while giving a speech in the city of Nara.
Abe, 67 bled to death after suffering two deep neck wounds that damaged an artery, said Dr Hidetada Fukushima from Nara Medical University Hospital.
He had no vital signs when he arrived at the hospital and was never revived after suffering major damage to his heart. He received more than 100 units of blood during four hours of blood transfusions as Mr Abe haemorrhaged.
The PM was shot from behind with a homemade gun – gun crime is a rarity in Japan and owning a gun is an extremely difficult thing to do due to their strict rules.
Abe’s assassination is the first of a sitting or former Japanese PM since the 1930s.
Mr Abe held his chest as he collapsed, footage shows his shirt covered in blood as security guards run towards him.
Shinzo Abe suspected shooter
Yamagami Tetsuya, 41, has been arrested.
He is seen in footage and pictures dressed in a grey t-shirt and beige trousers. He was wrestled to the ground by police officers.
It is believed he lives in Nara City and explosives have been found at his home.
Some reports are suggesting the suspect told officers he was unhappy with Abe’s politics and intended to kill him.
But Kyodo News said the man had not been motivated by a grudge against Mr Abe’s political beliefs.
The suspect reportedly served in the Japanese Navy.
Global reaction to Shinzo Abe death
Both political violence and gun violence are rare in Japan, in a nation of 125 million people there were only 10 gun-related crimes last year, including one death and four injuries. Of those 10, eight of them were gang-related.
“A barbaric act like this is absolutely unforgivable, no matter what the reasons are, and we condemn it strongly,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Mr Abe’s death was “incredibly sad news”.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Mr Abe was a “wonderful person, great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the “heinous act of violence has no excuse”.
A sad day for Japan, for India,the world and for me personally.
A quarter century of memories of Shinzo Abe. No words to express them. pic.twitter.com/WYndqFDx0D
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 8, 2022
Former US President Barack Obama released a statement following the assassination of Shinzo Abe.
“I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of my friend and long-time partner Shinzo Abe in Japan.
“Former prime minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan.
“I will always remember the work we did to strengthen our alliance, the moving experience of travelling to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor together, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed to me and Michelle.
“Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan who are very much in our thoughts at this painful moment.”
I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of my friend and longtime partner Shinzo Abe in Japan. Former Prime Minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 8, 2022
Who was Shinzo Abe?
Shinzo Abe served two terms as PM – making him the longest-serving PM in the nation. He stepped down in 2020 due to health problems.
He remained a prominent figure in politics – especially in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
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