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Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died after being shot during a speech on the streets of Nara City on Friday, according to state media NHK.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a moving press conference early Friday morning, stating that Prime Minister Abe (67) is in a “severe situation” and wants to survive. Prime Minister Abe was unknowingly taken from the scene of the shooting, in cardiac arrest, and had no significant singing voice, Japan’s Kyodo News and NHK reported.
Fumio Kishida, who belongs to the same political party as Prime Minister Abe, returned to Tokyo from a post-shooting campaign trip. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office that he was receiving maximum treatment. He said, “I sincerely pray for the survival of Prime Minister Abe.”
Fumio Kishida called the attack “sneaky and barbaric,” saying that crime during the campaign, which is the foundation of democracy, is absolutely unacceptable.
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Warning: Graphic image
The video posted on social media seemed to capture the moment Abe was shot. Suddenly a big bang is heard and a cloud of smoke erupts, and he can be seen talking to the crowd. People in the crowd can be heard out of breath in shock. You will hear the second blast, just as the camera pans.
It seems that Abe was shot from behind. At that time, he was giving an election speech prior to Sunday’s Senate election.
Warning: Graphic video
“We are all sad and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” said US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel in a statement. It is an unwavering ally. I pray for the happiness of Mr. Abe, his family, and the people of Japan. ”
“We are deeply saddened about the shooting,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who attended the G20 meeting in Bali, Indonesia. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the Japanese people. It’s a very sad moment. “”
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In response to Shinzo Abe’s shooting on the social media platform Truth Social, former President Donald Trump wrote: My true friend, and more importantly, America. This is a big blow to the wonderful Japanese people who loved and admired him very much. We are all praying for Shinzo and his beautiful family! “
Former Vice President Mike Pence said on Twitter early Friday morning that he and his wife Karen were “extremely troubled to find out about the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.”
Pence went on to say, “Shinzo Abe was Japan’s remarkable leader and unwavering US ally. We have joined millions of people for this truly good man and his family. God congratulates Shinzo Abe. “He shared a tweet with Abe along with his photo.
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have not yet issued a statement.
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A male suspect was detained on the scene and his gun was confiscated. NHK identified the suspect as Tetsuya Yamagami (41).
According to NHK, some Pentagon officials said Yamagami had been working in the Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years until around 2005. He was reportedly dissatisfied with former Prime Minister Abe and said he wanted to kill him.
Prime Minister Abe is the longest-serving prime minister in Japan. He worked again from 2006 to 2007, and in 2012, resigned in 2020 after the recurrence of the chronic disease ulcerative colitis, calling his decision at the time “intestinal pain”. I was sick.
During his term, he focused on the economy, rebuilt the Japanese army, and was a bigger player in international affairs.
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This is breaking news. The Associated Press contributed to this report.