Shinzo Abe

Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in heart failure after apparently being shot during a campaign speech Friday in western Japan, NHK public ...

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Mr. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, is perhaps the country's best known current politician, both in Japan and overseas. He is the de facto leader ...

\n\nHe said he was summoning his entire cabinet back to Tokyo and was seeking to learn more about the background of the shooter.\n\nA national election of the upper house is scheduled for Sunday. Mr. Kishida was on the campaign trail and returned to Tokyo after Mr. Abe, who was also campaigning for the party’s candidates, was shot. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Shinzo Abe is in serious condition and intensive efforts are under way to save his life.\n\nMr. Kishida said the shooting struck at "an election, the foundation of democracy."

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has been shot and seriously injured while campaigning in the city of Nara, a government spokesman said.

Mr Abe collapsed and was bleeding from the neck, a source from his ruling Liberal Democratic Party told the Jiji news agency. United States Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said he was saddened and shocked by the shooting of an outstanding leader and unwavering ally. TBS Television reported that Mr Abe had been shot on the left side of his chest and apparently also in the neck. The suspect, who is reported to have been a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member, is currently in police custody. Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has been shot and seriously injured while campaigning in the city of Nara, a government spokesman said. Footage broadcast by national broadcaster NHK shows him standing on a stage when a loud blast is heard and smoke is visible in the air.

Abe was making a speech in the western city of Nara at the time of the shooting.

He became Japan’s longest-serving premier in November 2019, but by the summer of 2020, public support had been eroded by his handling of the Covid-19 outbreak as well as a series of scandals including the arrest of his former justice minister. “Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States,” Emanuel said in a statement. There were six reported gun deaths in Japan in 2014, according to the National Police Agency, and the number rarely exceeds 10, in a country of 126 million people. A first gunshot was heard, nobody appeared to be injured, the witnesses said. Media reports quoted police as saying that the weapon thought to have been used in the attack was homemade. I am hoping and praying that former prime minister Abe will survive this,” he said.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while giving a speech in the western city of Nara, according to local media reports and videos posted to ...

NHK reported that Abe was in “cardiopulmonary arrest.” Japanese broadcaster NHK said Abe collapsed while giving a campaign speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate at around 11:30 a.m. local time, ahead of an upper house election this weekend. Former Japanese Prime MinisterShinzo Abe was shot while giving a speech in the western city of Nara, the government’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in a press conference Friday morning.

The attack in Nara, which reportedly left the 67-year-old unconscious, shocked a nation where gun violence is extremely rare.

Anyone trying to obtain a gun in Japan needs to apply for a permit, attend a class on gun safety and laws, and pass a written test. Last year, 14 of the 17 shootings in Japan were related to the yakuza, according to the National Police Agency. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who was campaigning in Yamagata when the shooting occurred, was headed back to Tokyo and canceling campaign events. Abe focused on reviving Japan’s stagnating economy through a package dubbed “Abenomics,” and sought to expand Japan’s military defenses. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno confirmed that Abe was shot around 11:30 a.m. Friday and said the government is working to confirm his condition. “This is truly an unforgivable act of political terrorism,” said Sanae Takaichi, chairwoman of the party’s Policy Research Council and 2021 prime ministerial candidate.

Local fire service official Makoto Morimoto said the 67-year-old Mr Abe was not breathing and his heart had stopped while being airlifted to hospital.

Mr Abe stepped down in 2020 because he said a chronic health problem has resurfaced. A double-barrelled device, which appeared to be a handmade gun, can be seen on the ground. Mr Abe was giving a speech when people heard gunshots. Nara prefectural police confirmed the arrest of Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, on suspicion of attempted murder. He was holding his chest when he collapsed, his shirt smeared with blood, but was able to speak before he fell unconscious. He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped.

The shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has sparked condemnation from political leaders across the world. Abe, 67, Japan's longest-serving ...

A man has been arrested after the ex-prime minister was shot at an election campaign event in Nara, western Japan.

He told reporters at the time that it was “gut wrenching” to leave many of his goals unfinished. “I use the harshest words to condemn (the act),” Mr Kishida said, as he struggled to control his emotions. An arch-conservative, Mr Abe stepped down in 2020 because he said a chronic health problem has resurfaced. Mr Abe was giving a speech when people heard gunshots. A double-barrelled device, which appeared to be a handmade gun, can be seen on the ground. Nara prefectural police confirmed the arrest of Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, on suspicion of attempted murder.

Longest-serving PM, known for his 'Abenomics' policy, shot while making campaign speech in Nara.

The head of the Japan Socialist party was assassinated during a speech in 1960 by a rightwing youth with a samurai short sword. In 2007, the mayor of Nagasaki was shot and killed by a yakuza gangster. There were six reported gun deaths in 2014, according to the National Police Agency, and the number rarely exceeds 10, in a country of 126 million people. Citing the return of a chronic bowel complaint that had contributed to the premature end to his first term in office, Abe resigned without presiding over the Games, which was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020, was flown to hospital by helicopter after the attack. While in office, Abe failed to realise his main political ambition – to revise Japan’s “pacifist” constitution, which prohibits the country from using force to resolve international disputes.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he is “deeply shocked” at the gun attack on former prime minister Shinzo Abe. He extended his condolences to his family and to the ...

The former Japanese prime minister has long been a target of Chinese nationalists. “How awful that he has lost his life in such a violent way,” she said. French president Emmanuel Macron said he was “profoundly shocked” by the “hateful” attack on Mr Abe, whom he described as a “great prime minister”. He had also been a big figure in world politics, said Mr Coveney. “Putting your arguments before an electorate and asking for their vote is at the very heart of what we believe in as democratic politicians. “Our Embassy & whole team ... deeply saddened by the violent passing of Abe Shinzo. Sincere condolences to his family & people of Japan,” it tweeted.

Police tackled and arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of an attack that shocked many in Japan, which is one of the world's safest nations and has some ...

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Profile: Japan's longest serving prime minister was an ambassador for global free trade.

He appeared to be just a few feet away from the public when he was shot on Friday. Abe could be seen walking around his home in Shibuya, near the centre of Tokyo, with a single security official. Inejiro Asanuma, then leader of the Japan Socialist Party was fatally stabbed with a sword by a teenage ultranationalist in 1960 during a televised debate. In his second spell in office, he staked out a conservative position that won him popularity with nationalists but made him a controversial figure, particularly on the left. Initial reports suggest his attacker was a former member of the Self-Defence Forces, not of Japan’s mostly moribund radical left who might ordinarily have been suspected. But by the time he quit, many of these gains had been reversed.

Under the "Abenomics" policy, the former prime minister introduced stimulus measures and major reforms.

I believe that's the key to how the new form of capitalism is going to be different from the past," he said. But it failed to reach the point of creating a 'virtuous cycle'. It does, however, warn that economic recovery will be "sluggish". He mounted campaigns to encourage domestic tourism which opponents said contributed to a resurgence in infections. Abenomics did help drive growth, though not at the pace that the country had seen during its post-war boom. Perhaps the most high profile policy of his time in office was "Abenomics", the economic programme that bears his name.

A Martinez speaks with Michael Green, formerly Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, about former Japanese Prime Minister ...

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Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died on Friday after being shot while giving a campaign speech on a street in central Japan, according to public ...

I pray for the best for the former prime minister." The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief," Biden said in a statement. Abe went into cardiopulmonary arrest at the site of the shooting and was rushed to hospital in a state of cardiac arrest at 12:20 p.m. local time, doctors said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Abe's death "profoundly disturbing in and of itself, it's also such a strong personal loss for so many people." He was believed to have been shot twice, in the chest and neck, NHK reported, citing police. Video aired by the public broadcaster captured the moments before the shooting, showing Abe speaking to a small crowd in front of Yamatosaidaiji railway station. But getting them is a long and complicated process. After Abe was shot but before his death was confirmed, China's Foreign Ministry sent its condolences to Abe's family. I really feel at a loss for words. Since stepping down, he remained in the public eye and regularly appeared in the media to discuss current affairs. on Twitter, adding that Abe was "a leader in the Indo-Pacific, championing a vision of a free and open region." Abe died from excessive bleeding and was pronounced dead at 5:03 p.m. local time, doctors at the Nara Medical University hospital said during a press conference on Friday. The doctors said the bullet that killed the former Japanese leader was "deep enough to reach his heart" and a team of 20 medical professionals were unable to stop the bleeding.

Mr Abe, 67, was shot from behind during a campaign speech in western Japan on Friday.

“Putting your arguments before an electorate and asking for their vote is at the very heart of what we believe in as democratic politicians. “It’s truly a shocking event and clearly all of our thoughts are with the devastated family and the devastated people in Japan.” “My thoughts are very much with his family and with the people of Japan.

Japan was coming to terms on Friday with the killing of former prime minister Shinzo Abe in the nation's highest profile political assassination since the ...

Mr Kishida on Friday night ordered security to be beefed up in advance of Sunday’s upper house election, but party officials insisted it would go ahead, despite Mr Abe’s murder. He had remained a big conservative force in Japanese politics despite resigning due to ill-health in late 2020. “I condemn this attack in the strongest terms,” he said. Eyewitnesses said the gunman had approached Mr Abe from behind and shot him a few minutes after he began speaking. He was airlifted to Nara Medical University Hospital, where doctors treating him said he had also suffered damage to his heart. US president Joe Biden said he had ordered US flags to be flown at half-mast this weekend in honour of Mr Abe.

President Michael D Higgins has expressed his “deep condolences” to the Emperor of Japan at the “appalling” murder of former prime minister Shinzo Abe.

“Putting your arguments before an electorate and asking for their vote is at the very heart of what we believe in as democratic politicians. “It’s truly a shocking event and clearly all of our thoughts are with the devastated family and the devastated people in Japan.” “My thoughts are very much with his family and with the people of Japan.

The 67-year-old was shot while making a campaign speech. Japan's leader Fumio Kishida has described the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as ...

He was a towering figure in Japanese & world politics and a robust defender of democratic principles. 🇮🇪 🇯🇵 The brutal assassination of Shinzo Abe is shocking & sad. The Laois Offaly Deputy described him as a towering figure in Japanese & world politics and a robust defender of democratic principles.

SEOUL — Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated Friday, stunning a nation where gun violence and political attacks are rare.

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Japan's longest-serving prime minister became perhaps the most transformational politician in the country's post-World War II history.

Mr. Green’s book “Line of Advantage: Japan’s Grand Strategy in the Era of Abe Shinzo” argues that it was Mr. Abe who helped push the West to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions in Asia. “He was chosen for the prime ministership because of a sense in Japan that they were being humiliated by China at every turn,” Mr. Green said. And the American ambassador to Japan in the 1960s, Edwin O. Reischauer, was stabbed in the thigh by a 19-year-old Japanese man; Mr. Reischauer survived and returned to his post as Harvard’s leading scholar of Japanese politics. In addition to showing up at Trump Tower with a gold-plated golf club, he traveled to Mar-a-Lago to celebrate the birthday of Melania Trump, the first lady. In 2012, as Mr. Abe returned to the prime minister’s office, President Barack Obama’s aides worried he was too hawkish, but over time they warmed to him. “What Abe did was transform the national security state in Japan,” said Michael J. Green, a former senior official in the George W. Bush administration who dealt with Mr. Abe often. Mr. Abe pushed further, suggesting that it was time for Japan to establish some kind of nuclear sharing agreement with the United States — breaking his country’s longtime taboo on even discussing the wisdom of possessing an arsenal of its own. China loomed larger, North Korea kept lobbing missiles across the Sea of Japan and Mr. Abe believed that he needed to preserve his country’s relationship with Washington, even if that meant delivering a gold-plated golf club to Donald J. Trump at Trump Tower days after he was elected president. Mr. Abe was not killed for his hard-line views, which at moments triggered street protests and peace rallies in Japan, at least according to initial assessments. His efforts to loosen the restraints on Japan that date back to its postwar, American-written Constitution reflected a recognition that Japan needed its allies more than ever. “We didn’t know what we were going to get when Abe came to office with this hard nationalist reputation,” said Richard Samuels, the director of the Center for International Studies at M.I.T. and the author of books on Japan’s military and intelligence capabilities. “What we got was a pragmatic realist who understood the limits of Japan’s power, and who knew it wasn’t going to be able to balance China’s rise on its own.

Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan who was the first head of Japanese government to visit Ireland, was assassinated earlier today, ...

"Putting your arguments before an electorate and asking for their vote is at the very heart of what we believe in as democratic politicians. Terrible news of the killing of the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. I had the honour of meeting him on a number of occasions, including his visit to Ireland in 2013, he was a real gentleman and a true democrat. "On this very sad occasion, on behalf of the government and people of Ireland, I extend our most profound condolences and solidarity." He was 67 years old. "This attack is an act of brutality that happened during the elections - the very foundation of our democracy - and is absolutely unforgivable," current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday.

Japan's former leader Shinzo Abe assassinated · He was rushed to the hospital, but showed no vital signs, per NHK. · Police have arrested the suspected shooter, ...

- "He was a dear friend who loved this country," Kishida added. He was assassinated. What he's saying: "Really BAD NEWS FOR THE WORLD! Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is dead. - "This is shocking. The big picture: Abe, who was most recently in office from December 2012 to September 2020, was Japan's longest-serving prime minister. There were 10 shootings and one gun-related death in Japan last year,the Washington Post notes.

Politicians vow not to let assassination of their longest-serving PM stop democratic process, as tributes continue to pour in.

“I followed Abe’s career as prime minister and admired what he was trying to do for Japan. I’ll remember him as someone who faced huge challenges but always came back and carried on. Biden – who earlier said he was “stunned, outraged and deeply saddened” – has ordered flags on US government buildings to fly at half-mast. They bowed and clasped their hands in prayer; some shed tears and lowered their heads again as they turned towards banks of TV cameras. We will honour prime minister Abe’s memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region.” Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in for the leader. They have declined to name the organisation, though several Japanese media outlets described it as a religious group.

TOKYO — The assassination of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe at a political rally on Friday rocked a country where strict firearms laws mean gun violence ...

“On behalf of the Biden family and all of America we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Abe family and the people of Japan,” Biden wrote. The shooting reverberated throughout the country, which has low crime rates and some of the world’s most restrictive gun laws. He died Friday of blood loss less than five hours after being shot in the neck and chest. Akie Abe, the slain leader’s wife, headed back to Tokyo from Nara on Saturday morning, and Abe’s body was transported back in a hearse. Yamagami was arrested on-site and admitted to shooting Abe with a homemade gun, officials said. The campaign for Japan’s upper house resumed Saturday, with candidates and surrogates — including incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida — returning to the trail ahead of Sunday’s election.

The body of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived back at his home in Tokyo on Saturday, a day after he was assassinated in a daylight shooting, ...

While searching the residence, police found multiple types of guns with iron pipes wrapped in adhesive tape, NHK reported -- the guns had three, five, and six such pipes as barrels. People are finding it very much hard to digest the reality," Taniguchi said on Friday. At the time of the shooting, Abe was speaking in support of ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates ahead of Upper House elections on Sunday, which are still scheduled to go ahead. Police have not named the group. Presidents, prime ministers and other international leaders sent tributes expressing outrage and sadness over the killing. Officials will now meet with the family to discuss funeral arrangements, Abe's office told CNN.

The President, the Taoiseach and leaders around the world have expressed their shock and sadness following the assassination of ex-premier of Japan Shinzo ...

"This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him," Mr Biden said in a statement. It is all the more shocking that it happened in a peace-loving country like Japan.," Mr Martin said. "We must absolutely defend free and fair elections, which are the basis of democracy. We condemn it once again in the strongest terms," Mr Kishida said. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. "Japan has lost a great prime minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to ensure order in the world," Mr Macron said on Twitter. "Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy. The Taoiseach said he was "deeply saddened by the appalling death" of Mr Abe. "It is truly regrettable. President Michael D Higgins expressed his "deep condolences" to the Emperor of Japan at the "appalling" murder of Shinzo Abe. "He guided the country in the face of a difficult domestic and international situation through his outstanding leadership and executive ability." I am lost for words.

Mr Abe was assassinated during a campaign event in western Japan on Friday by a gunman who opened fire on him from behind as he delivered a campaign speech – an ...

Guards then leapt on to the gunman, who was face down on the pavement, and a double-barrelled weapon was seen nearby. Yamagami was responding calmly to questions and had admitted attacking Mr Abe, police said, and he had told investigators he had plotted to kill him because he believed rumours about the former leader’s connection to a certain organisation – which police did not identify. Police said he used a gun that was obviously homemade – about 40cm long – and they confiscated similar weapons and his personal computer when they raided his nearby home.