Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving leader, has been declared dead hours after he was shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election. Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two shots rang out.
The shooter opened fire on Abe, 67, from behind as the former premier addressed members of the public on a drab traffic island in the western city of Nara. Japanese media reported that the weapon appeared to be a homemade gun.
“This attack is an act of brutality that happened during the elections – the very foundation of our democracy – and is absolutely unforgivable,” said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Abe’s protege, struggling to keep his emotions in check.
It was the first killing of a sitting or former Japanese leader since a 1936 coup attempt, when several figures including two ex-premiers were assassinated.
Doctors were unable to revive Abe, who was taken to hospital in cardiopulmonary arrest and showing no vital signs. He was declared dead at 5:03 p.m. (0803 GMT), about five and a half hours after being shot.
Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested. The suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, is believed to have told police he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him. The suspect told police he had made multiple handmade explosives and guns in the past. Police said the suspected shooter was a resident of Nara. Media said he had served in Japan’s military for three years until 2005.
Police said the suspected shooter was a resident of Nara. Media said he had served in Japan’s military for three years until 2005.
Abe served two terms as prime minister, stepping down in 2020 citing ill health. But he remained a dominant presence over the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), controlling one of its major factions
