Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe dies after attack by gunman

Name: The triumphs and tribulations of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe
Uploaded: 2022-07-08T03:07:57.000Z
Duration: 3 min 24 s
Description: The triumphs and tribulations of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe

Abe’s assassination during a campaign event triggered a global outpouring of shock, with world powers from China, the US to Russia offering condolences to Japan

The late leader was a political blue-blood whose hallmark was his record as the country’s longest-serving post-war prime minister

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People place flowers at the scene in Nara where Shinzo Abe was shot. Photo: AFP

Bhavan JaipragasandAgencies

Published: 11:07am, 8 Jul 2022Updated: 11:13pm, 8 Jul 2022

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a political blue-blood who became one of his country’s most influential figures of recent times, died Friday after being shot during a campaign speech in western Japan.

His assassination in one of Asia’s safest societies stunned the world.

China, the United States, Russia, India were among the world powers that expressed their condolences and acknowledged the significant role he played in diplomacy during two separate stints as prime minister.

03:24

The triumphs and tribulations of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to go ahead with Sunday’s elections for the upper house of parliament saying the lone gunman’s actions were “dastardly” and “barbaric”.

Kishida said he was “lost for words” over the death of Abe, 67, whose support within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was crucial in his elevation to the prime ministership last year.

“I was praying that his life would be saved, but despite that, I came to learn of (his death),” an emotional Kishida told reporters. “It is truly regrettable. I am lost for words. I offer my sincere condolences and prayers that his soul may rest in peace.”

Abe was delivering a stump speech outside a train station in the city of Nara when he was shot. A video aired by public broadcaster NHK showed Abe speaking emphatically, with his left fist raised and clenched.