Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was pronounced dead a few hours after he was shot while giving a speech in the western city of Nara, the Japanese broadcaster NHK reported Friday morning.
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. Abe was wounded in the neck and the heart, and died of blood loss, medical officials from the Nara Medical University said in a press conference.
A reporter for the broadcaster said she heard what sounded like two gunshots and saw Abe bleeding.
According to NHK, a male suspect “in his 40s” was detained at the scene. Police sources told the broadcaster that a seemingly handmade gun was found at the scene.
Abe, a familiar figure on the global stage, was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020, citing health issues.
European and world leaders sent messages of support to their former long-time colleague before he was pronounced dead.
“A wonderful person, great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order has passed away,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter. “This brutal and cowardly murder of @AbeShinzo shocks the whole world.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “profoundly shocked by the odious attack Shinzo Abe was a victim of,” sending “Thoughts to the family and the loved ones of a great prime minister.”
“The deadly attack on Shinzo Abe leaves me stunned and deeply saddened,” German chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “My deepest sympathy goes to his family, my colleague Fumio Kishida and our Japanese friends.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, commenting on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ summit in Bali, said: “Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan.” He added: “This is a very, very sad moment.”
The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, who is also in Bali for the G20, said in a statement: “I am appalled by the tragic news … Today, the European Union loses a friend that has helped deepen and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas – important work which is continuing under Prime Minister Kishida.”
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said she was “saddened and shocked at the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a political event in Nara.”
It is with deep regret that I have learned of the passing of @AbeShinzo, European Council chief Charles Michel said. “I will never understand the brutal killing of this great man.”
Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe.” He later added: “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan.” Upon learning Abe’s death, Modi pronounced a day of national mourning in India, on July 9.
This story is developing.