Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving leader and former prime minister, passed away on Friday after being shot while running for a parliamentary seat, shocking a nation where political unrest is uncommon and firearms are strictly regulated.
As he spoke at a dull traffic island in the western city of Nara, a man approached Abe, 67, and fired at him from behind with what appeared to be a homemade gun, according to Japanese media.
Since the height of prewar militarism in 1936, it was the first time a Japanese premier—current or former—had been assassinated.
The moment that Japanese Former PM Shinzo Abe was shot. Looks to be a DIY shotgun. pic.twitter.com/sC0yzzfIob
— Global: Military-Info (@Global_Mil_Info) July 8, 2022
Abe passed away at 5:03 p.m. (08:03 GMT), or roughly five and a half hours after being shot, despite doctors’ best efforts.
A doctor revealed at a nationally broadcast news conference that the victim died from two deep wounds, one of which was on the right side of his neck. When he was brought in, the former leader’s vital signs were nonexistent.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke before Abe’s passing, denouncing the shooting in the “strongest terms” as shocked Japanese and world leaders looked on.
In an effort to control his emotions, Kishida said, “This attack is an act of brutality that happened during the elections – the very foundation of our democracy – and is absolutely unforgivable.”
The shooting’s suspected perpetrator, age 41, was reportedly detained, according to the police. Tetsuya Yamagami, the suspect, reportedly told police he wanted to kill Abe because he was unhappy with him, according to NHK.
Two shots were fired while Abe was speaking to supporters outside of a train station. Following that, security personnel were seen tackling a man wearing a grey T-shirt and beige pants.
A businessman who was present at the scene, Makoto Ichikawa, told Reuters that there had been a loud bang followed by smoke.
After the second shot, what appeared to be special police tackled him. “After the first shot, no one knew what was going on.”
