According to reports, the shooter, a man in his 40s, has been arrested for attempt to murder and the gun has been seized.
New Delhi: Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot at while he was at a campaign event in the Nara region, the local media said. While he was rushed to a hospital, reports said he was declared dead after some time. It is also being reported that he was showing no vital signs after the attack.
Chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters, “Former Prime Minister Abe was shot at around 11:30 am in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown.”
According to reports, the shooter, a man in his 40s, has been arrested for attempt to murder and the gun has been seized. Abe had been delivering a stump speech at an event ahead of Sunday’s upper house election when he was shot at, said media reports.
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “Deeply shocked by the tragic attack on my friend former Prime Minister Abe. My prayers are with him and family.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan.”
“Shocked to hear the news of the attack on former PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe, who has been instrumental in deepening Indo-Japanese ties. Prayers for his recovery. My thoughts are with his family,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi.
Shinzo Abe served as the Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Japan. Abe also served as the Chief Cabinet Secretary from 2005 to 2006 under Junichiro Koizumi and was briefly the leader of the opposition in 2012.
