FORMER Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has died in hospital after being fatally shot in the neck and chest during a political rally.
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.
Yamagami Tetsuya has been named as the suspected gunman.
The 41-year-old was immediately apprehended after allegedly shooting former PM Abe
Abe was rushed to the hospital after collapsing – with the politcian's younger brother telling reporters that the former PM was receiving a blood transfusion.
Ex-Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe had earlier said in a tweet that Mr Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. The term is often used before a death is officially confirmed in Japan.
Citing a senior member of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, national broadcaster NHK said "former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67."
The alleged shooting took place in Nara, Japan, and was captured on video.
Read our Shinzo Abe shooting blog for the latest live updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Russia 'deeply saddened' by news of Shinzo's death
The Kremlin on Friday said it was saddened by the death of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe and hailed him as a "patriot."
"We are deeply saddened by the news from Japan," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said shortly after a Japanese hospital confirmed Abe was pronounced dead after being shot at a campaign event. "Abe was truly a patriot of Japan."
- Joseph Gamp
Shinzo Abe bled to death
The 67-year-old bled to death after sustaining two deep wounds, a doctor from Nara Medical University Hospital said.
He had no vital signs on arrival, and one wound was deep enough to reach his heart, the doctor added.
Blood transfusions were given as medics battled to save his life.
- Joseph Gamp
Boris says UK 'stands with Japan' during dark time
Boris Johnson said on Friday that Britain stood with Japan at this dark time following the "incredibly sad news" about the death of former premier Shinzo Abe in a shooting.
"Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe," he said on Twitter.
"His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people."
"The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.
- Joseph Gamp
Statement from Nara University Hospital
Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe was pronounced dead on Friday afternoon, the hospital treating him confirmed, after he was shot at a campaign event.
Hidetada Fukushima, professor of emergency medicine at Nara Medical University hospital. "Shinzo Abe was transported to (the hospital) at 12:20 pm. He was in a state of cardiac arrest upon arrival.
"Resuscitation was administered.
"However, unfortunately he died at 5:03 pm."
- Joseph Gamp
Shinzo Abe dies despite blood transfusion
Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe died in hospital on Friday, local media reported, hours after being shot at a political campaign event in an attack condemned as "absolutely unforgivable".
Citing a senior member of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, national broadcaster NHK said "former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67."
The death was also reported by other broadcasters as well as the Japanese news agencies Jiji and Kyodo.
The assassination of the country's best-known politician comes despite Japan's strict gun laws and with campaigning under way ahead of upper house elections on Sunday.
Earlier Prime Minister Fumio Kishida abandoned the campaign trail and flew to Tokyo by helicopter where he addressed reporters in a voice that wavered with emotion.
- Joseph Gamp
Shinzo Abe dies after fatal shooting – reports
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
- Joseph Gamp
Macron says 'profoundly shocked' by attack on Abe
French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday he was "profoundly shocked by the despicable attack" on former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
"Profoundly shocked by the despicable attack that Shinzo Abe has been victim of.
"Thoughts for the friends and family of a great prime minister. France stands with the Japanese people," he wrote on Twitter
- Joseph Gamp
Gunman believed to have used homemade firearm
Media reports have quoted police as saying that the weapon thought to have been used in the attack was homemade.
They also believe the suspect, Yamagami Testsuya, is a veteran, but it is unclear as to what his motives are
Japan has a near “zero-tolerance” of gun ownership and an extremely low rate of gun crime
- Joseph Gamp
Shinzo Abe is Japan's longest-serving prime minister
Abe was born on September 21, 1954 in Tokyo.
He comes from a political family, with his grandfather and great-uncle both having served as Prime Minister.
His father was also a politician and served as Japan’s foreign minister.
The 67-year-old served as Japan's Prime Minister from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.
- Joseph Gamp
German foreign minister 'shocked' by news
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday she was horrified by the attack on Japan's former premier Shinzo Abe after he was shot at a campaign event.
"I'm shocked by the news that Shinzo Abe was shot," she tweeted from a G20 meeting in Bali. "My thoughts are with him and his family."
- Joseph Gamp
NATO chief 'deeply shocked' by 'heinous' attack on Japan's Abe
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg expressed shock Friday at the attack on Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe and said the defence alliance stood by Japan and its government under current premier Fumio Kishida.
"Deeply shocked by the heinous shooting of @AbeShinzo as he was addressing voters.
"My thoughts are with him and his family. #NATO stands with the people of our close partner #Japan and PM @kishida230," Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter."
- Joseph Gamp
NZ PM 'deeply shocked' by news of Shinzo Abe shooting
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern said she was “deeply shocked” by the news.
She added: "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.
"My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us all to the core.”
- Joseph Gamp
Shinzo Abe pictured moments before alleged attack
Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was photographed moments before he was shot in the chest during his speech.
The attack took place in Nara, Japan, in front of Yamatosaidaiji Station.
Shinzo Abe has been rushed to the hospital and is reportedly unresponsive.
Credit: The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images - Joseph Gamp
Shinzo shooting 'an unforgivable act'
The shooting of Japan's former premier, Shinzo Abe, was an unforgiveable act, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday, condemning it in the "strongest terms" as having happened during an election exercise, one of the foundational elements of democracy.
Abe, 67 was in a grave condition, Kishida said, expressing his wishes for the country's longest-serving prime minister to survive the ordeal, which took place
Abe was shot on Friday while campaigning in the western city of Nara, a government spokesman has said
- Joseph Gamp
Shinzo Abe in 'grave condition'
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said former premier Shinzo Abe is in a "very grave condition" after being shot on Friday.
"I pray that former prime minister Abe will survive," Kishida said. "It is a barbaric act during election campaigning, which is the foundation of democracy, and it is absolutely unforgivable.
"I condemn this act in the strongest terms."
- Joseph Gamp
Boris Johnson 'utterly appalled' over Shinzo Abe shooting
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "utterly appalled" at the shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Japanese media reported the 67-year-old had gone into heart failure on Friday after the attack during a campaign speech.
The country's national broadcaster NHK TV said Mr Abe was bleeding and holding his chest when he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital.
Mr Johnson tweeted: "Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
- Joseph Gamp
Current PM gives update on Shinzo
Fumio Kishida says Shinzo Abe remains in a critical condition in hospital.
“Currently doctors are doing everything they can, at this moment. I am hoping and praying that former prime minister Abe will survive this,” he says.
Kishida slammed the shooting as a “heinous act”.
- Joseph Gamp
Pictured: Shinzo Abe receives CPR after being shot by gunman
Abe was seen holding his chest after reportedly suffering two gunshot wounds that left him bloodied on the ground.
He was quickly airlifted to a hospital but wasn't breathing and his heart had stopped, according to the Associated Press.
The former prime minister showed no vital signs, NHK quoted firefighters as saying.
As first responders rushed to save Abe's life, police captured Yamagami Tetsuya, 41, for the alleged attempted murder, according to NHK.
- Joseph Gamp
Who is the current Japanese Prime Minister?
Fumio Kishida became Prime Minster of Japan in 2021.
He succeeded Yoshihide Suga, who served for one year.
Kishisa previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017, and then as acting Minister of Defense in 2017.
He has a wife and three sons.
- Joseph Gamp
US Secretary of State describes shooting as 'a very very sad moment'
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed deep concern over the condition of Shinzo Abe.
“Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan,” Blinken said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali.
“This is a very, very sad moment. And we’re awaiting news from Japan.”
- Joseph Gamp
Indian PM 'deeply distressed' by Shinzo shooting
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Friday he was "deeply distressed" by the shooting of Shinzo Abe, describing the former Japanese premier as a "dear friend".
"Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe," Modi wrote on Twitter. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan."
- Joseph Gamp
What happened at the campaign event in Nara?
Abe was making a speech at a campaign event in Nara at about 11.30am local time when he was allegedly shot from behind.
Two gunshots were reportedly fired, producing white clouds of smoke.
Abe collapsed after the second shot was fired, according to reports.
He was rushed to the hospital following the incident and is reportedly fighting for his life.
Local Japanese outlets report that Abe is not showing any vital signs.
A suspect – reportedly a man in his 40s – was quickly apprehended by police.
The campaign event was in preparation for the July 10 upper house election.
- Jennifer Korn
Indian leaders react
Rahul Gandhi said Shinzo Abe "has been instrumental in deepening Indo-Japanese ties."
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia called the Japanese leader a "true friend" of India.
- Jennifer Korn
Shinzo Abe and President Trump feeding fish
The former leaders were filmed feeding fish together when they both held office.
Both leaders notably dumped the entire tray of food.
- Jennifer Korn
The current Japanese Prime Minister
Fumio Kishida became Prime Minster of Japan in 2021.
Kishisa previously served as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017, and then as acting Minister of Defense in 2017.
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