Fumio Kishida (Japan’s Prime Minister) rushed from Tokyo to Tokyo upon hearing that Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minster of Japan was shot in the neck during Nara’s Friday morning speech. When Kishida arrived, approximately three hours after the shooting, he held an emotional news conference saying that the attack was “not a forgivable act” and that Abe was in critical condition with doctors “fighting to save” him.
The second video shows an attempted assassination on the part of Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan.
NOTICE: The video is not graphic. However, the viewer should be able to make their own decisions. pic.twitter.com/BZNGHP78ds
— BNO News (@BNONews) July 8, 2022
NHK, a Japanese television station, reported Abe in cardiopulmonary arrest. However, an official with Nara City Fire Department stated that Abe was awake and responding while being transported to hospital.
After Abe’s campaign speech in western Japan on Friday, emergency personnel transferred Shinzo Abe (an ex-prime minister of Japan) from an ambulance into a helicopter. https://t.co/u8MXjC3qrP pic.twitter.com/JwJhG9uCFE
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 8, 2022
Kishida also said the country was “trying to comprehend this tough situation” and that authorities would “take appropriate measures to handle the situation.”
Tokyo-based CNN reporter Junko Ogura said Abe “suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his neck,” citing the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in Tokyo, while reports on NHK said he was also shot in the chest.
NHK reports that Tetsuya Yogami was also arrested by Nara police for the incident. Media reports say the suspect told police he was “dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him.” After shooting Abe, Yamagami didn’t attempt to escape and was wrestled to the ground by security. NHK reported that police took a firearm from Yamagami, though it’s not clear what kind of gun this is.
Shinzo Abe was shot by an assailant holding a small double-barreled “shotgun”, which he then dropped to the ground. We don’t know if this is an unmade weapon or a sawed version. pic.twitter.com/riUh0lEhr7
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) July 8, 2022
Abe was giving a stump speech in Nara outside of a station train. Two shots had just rang out.
Twitter and other social media sites are used by world leaders for their wishes.
I was shocked and deeply saddened by the deplorable attack on Shinzo abe.
My thoughts are with his loved ones and family.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022
My dear friend Abe Shinzo was attacked and killed. All of our thoughts and prayers go out to him, his family and Japan’s people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot – our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022
I was so shocked to learn about Japan’s past Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. When I was elected PM, he was the leader I first met. He was deeply committed to his role but also generous & kind. His wife and all the Japanese people are in my thoughts. These events shake us to our core.
— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) July 8, 2022
CNN says that there are other heads who send good wishes.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen A Facebook post also condemned the shooting and called Abe a close friend.
Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard wrote on Twitter that he deeply regrets the shooting. “We hope that he can overcome the serious medical situation in which he finds himself,” he wrote.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the people of Japan,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on Twitter.
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö You can also see it here tweeted that he was “deeply shocked” by the “violent attack,” extending his thoughts to Abe’s family and the Japanese nation.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he was shocked by the “sad news,” adding: “We send our prayers & best wishes for his early recovery & good health.”
The President of European Council Charles Michel, called the shooting a “cowardly attack,” praising Abe as “a true friend, fierce defender of multilateral order & democratic values.”
Soon after the shooting took place, Rahm Emanuel, US Ambassador to Japan, tweeted his well-wishes. It occurred at around 11:11 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
All of us are shocked and saddened by the murder of Abe Shinzo (ex-Prime Minister). Abe-san was an unwavering ally to the U.S. and a great leader in Japan. The U.S. Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, & people of Japan.
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) July 8, 2022
As of press time (3 AM Eastern Daylight Time, July 9, 2022) there is no word from the White House at all about the assassination attempt on Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister.
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