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Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot by a gunman while delivering a speech in the city of Nara on July 8, 2022. He showed no vital signs when he arrived at the hospital, and spent 4.5 hours in treatment before he was pronounced dead. The gunman was identified as a 41-year-old local man who was a veteran of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force who said he was frustrated with Abe.
The absence of a Beijing official at the funeral of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe was a telling reminder of the strained ties between the two countries
The slain Japanese leader was a giant among the likes of Donald Trump, Scott Morrison, Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau.
Assassination of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister is a shock to the nation and world, and serves as wake-up call.
- Kong Chee Kian said someone should assassinate Lee following the shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe
- He was sentenced to four months’ jail for one count of inciting violence electronically
But even as PM Kishida reels from the blow ahead of a potential election, analysts say he is ‘likely to survive’ as the opposition is ‘just not ready to take over’.
The Unification Church – a cult linked to the motives of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s alleged assassin – has long wielded influence in Japan’s politics and society. Now it could be dissolved.
If the court grants the request, the church will no longer be a religious corporation and be deprived of tax benefits, but will not be required to stop operating.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was out campaigning in April when a man threw a home-made pipe bomb at him; he wasn’t hurt but 2 others were. Suspect Ryuji Kimura was arrested on the spot.
A request for it to disband could be filed with the court as soon as October, and comes after an investigation of the church regarding alleged illegal donations and ‘spiritual sales’.
Police have made significant changes to the ways they handle politicians’ security after the ex-prime minister was gunned down on July 8 last year.
Police said the shooter, an 18-year-old new recruit, was detained on the spot and had been charged with attempted murder.
Nearly 40 per cent of respondents to a survey said they had lost trust in religion over the past two years, with some saying they have no reason to visit a Buddhist temple any more.
While some analysts lament ‘another serious lapse by the police’, others say ‘G7 leaders have little to worry about’ when they meet in Hiroshima next month.
The fishermen sprang into action as soon as they saw an object flying overhead towards Japan’s prime minister. Their heroics prompted many online to wonder if they were plain-clothes police officers.
Kishida, who was unhurt in the incident in western Japan’s Wakayama, apologised for ‘worrying many people’.
After claiming he killed the former leader because of apparent links to a religious group, Tetsuya Yamagami underwent months of psychiatric evaluation that showed he is fit to stand trial.
In this edition of the Global Impact newsletter, we look back at the events that unfolded in 2022 and also looks ahead to what we can expect in 2023.
Southeast Asia was in the spotlight with Anwar Ibrahim finally becoming Malaysia’s prime minister, while Singapore repealed its anti-gay law Section 377A.
More tragedy in Thailand over massacre at nursery, murder of South Korean subway worker by her stalker, brazen attack on Filipino broadcast journalist.
The Nara District Prosecutors Office earlier extended the detention of Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, to carefully examine whether he was mentally fit to withstand trial.
Akie Abe fanned speculation she is considering taking over her late husband Shinzo Abe’s constituency when she spoke during a funeral service for the slain former Japanese leader.
The former PM wasn’t well-liked at home and the US$11.5 million send-off has sparked public anger, but many foreign leaders attended his state funeral.
The US Vice-President is in Tokyo to attend the funeral of former Japanese president Shinzo Abe who forged closer ties with the US at a time of increased concern about China’s ambitions.
Harris will confront controversy at nearly every turn as she visits Asia for the memorial honouring former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
If carried out, sources said Japan is likely to refer to the self-ruled island as Taiwan, not as “the Republic of China”, its official name for itself.
Police out in force for Tuesday’s event, after elderly man set fire to himself in protest against government’s decision to grant Abe a state funeral.
Despite US sending its vice-president, Beijing will send vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference: Japanese government spokesman.
The man, in his 70s, set himself alight near the prime minister’s office in Tokyo, local media said, after telling police he was opposed to plans for a state funeral for ex-leader Abe, who was assassinated in July.
Island’s former parliament speaker Wang Jin-pyng, former premier Frank Hsieh and Su Jia-chyuan, who heads Taipei-Tokyo relations body, will attend.
