Shinzo Abe shooting death latest: Ex-Japan PM dies in hospital after being shot in neck & chest with ‘homemade firearm’
- Who shot Shinzo Abe?
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 .
The 41-year-old was immediately apprehended after allegedly shooting
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, , and was captured on video.
Read our Shinzo Abe shooting blog for the latest live updates...
Police confirm they have found find multiple handmade weapons at suspects address
Nara police have claimed say they have discovered several handmade weapons aftr a searhc of his house.
The crude firearms are similar to the one used in the attacks, they added.
Earlier local media that explosives had been found in the house.
All members of Japanese cabinet ordered to return to Tokyo
PM Kishida said the "act of brutality" in Naga was "absolutely unforgivable".
He has asked all members of the cabinet to return to Tokyo.
Political violence is rare in Japan, which has strict gun regulations.
"A barbaric act like this is absolutely unforgivable, no matter what the reasons are, and we condemn it strongly," chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said.
UK stands with Japan after Shinzo Abe death
Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe will be remembered for his "global leadership through unchartered times" following his "incredibly sad" death, Boris Johnson has said.
Mr Abe, 67, was shot from behind during a campaign speech in western Japan on Friday and later died in hospital.
The shooting prompted shock and sadness among British politicians as the news emerged on Friday morning.
Mr Johnson was joined by former prime ministers Theresa May and Tony Blair in paying tribute to Mr Abe.
Mr Johnson tweeted: "Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe.
"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."
UK's Liz Truss says Shinzo Abe death 'a tragic loss'
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the death of Shinzo Abe was a "tragic loss".
She tweeted: "Shocked to learn of the death of former PM Abe - struck down while playing his part in the democratic process.
"A tragic loss of a great figure who helped transform Japan and forge even closer bonds with the UK."
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.
Former British PM Tony Blair pays tribute
Another former British prime minister, Tony Blair, has issued a statement about the death of Shinzo Abe.
He said: "I knew him and worked with him and always had huge respect for his capability.
"I am shocked and saddened by his senseless murder. I send my deepest condolences to his wife Akie, with whom my wife Cherie also worked closely, and to all the people of Japan."
Shooting suspect tells police he intended to kill former PM
The suspected shooter told officers he was unhappy with Mr Abe and intended to kill him, NHK reported.
However, Kyodo News said the man had not been motivated by a grudge against Mr Abe's political beliefs.
It is also reported that the served in the Japanese Navy.
Pictured: Homemade gun used to assassinate Shinzo Abe
Below is a picture of the crude firearm used to asssasinate former PM Shinzo Abe.
The former leader was kaing a political speech in Naga, near Kyoto, when he was shot in the neck and chestty by an assailant.
Mr Abe was rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save him.
The crude firearm used to assassinate former PM Shinzo Abe is seen discarded on the ground in NagaCredit: Getty Eyewitness recalls seeing gun 'the size of a TV camera'
Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two shots rang out at about 11:30am local time (2.30am GMT).
Security officials were then seen tackling a man in a grey T-shirt and beige trousers.
"There was a loud bang and then smoke," businessman Makoto Ichikawa, who was at the scene, told Reuters, adding that the gun was the size of a television camera.
"The first shot, no one knew what was going on, but after the second shot, what looked like special police tackled him."
EU chiefs shocked by 'brutal murder' of Japan's Abe
"The brutal and cowardly murder" of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe "shocks the world," European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted on Friday.
"I will never understand the brutal killing of this great man," said European Council President Charles Michel in a separate tweet.
"Japan, Europeans mourn with you," he said.
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."
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.
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."
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."
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.
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
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
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
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.
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."
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."
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.”
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 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
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."
