Tokyo: Ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe dies after being shot while campaigning. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died on Friday after he was shot while addressing an election rally in the city of Nara, according to state media.
“Officials say former Japanese Prime Minister #Abe Shinzo has been confirmed #dead. He was reportedly #shot during a speech on Friday in the city of #Nara, near Kyoto,” official broadcaster NHK tweeted.
According to NHK, the attack took place at around 11.30 a.m. (local time) near the Yamatosaidaiji Station in Nara city while the 67-year-old former leader was making a speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate’s election campaign.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Abe was in “critical condition”, adding that the attack was a “despicable act that took place during an election period, which is the foundation of democracy”, state broadcaster NHK reported.
“It is totally unacceptable. I condemn the act in the strongest possible terms.”
The Prime Minister added that “it is important for the government to prepare to take all necessary measures to deal with any possible situation”.
According to NHK, the attack took place at around 11.30 a.m. (local time) near the Yamatosaidaiji Station in Nara city while the 67-year-old former leader was making a speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate’s election campaign.
The police said that the Ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe was shot twice, with the second shot hitting him in the back, causing him to fall to the ground.
The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that he had a bullet wound on the right of his neck, and also suffered subcutaneous bleeding under the left part of his chest.
He was rushed by medevac to Nara Medical University Hospital although showed no vital signs, according to local police and emergency services.
Meanwhile, the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Yamagami Tetsuya, a resident of Nara city, has been arrested for attempted murder.
