Mr Abe, 67, was attacked at around 11.30 am (local time). A local reporter says she heard gunshots at the scene. Broadcaster NHK quoted the suspect, who has been identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, as telling the police he was dissatisfied with Mr Abe and wanted to kill him.
Initial reports say Mr Abe was struck in the chest. A witness to the attack told the broadcaster the first shot caused Mr Abe to stumble backwards, adding he fell to the ground after the second shot.Japanese media had initially reported Mr Abe had gone into heart failure on Friday after the attack during a campaign speech.