Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during his press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo on August 28, 2020.
Frank Robichon/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot on Friday in western Japan.
The incident shocked world leaders, who described the former PM as an outstanding leader of Japan.
“This is a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan, who loved and admired him so much,” said former US President Donald Trump.
Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot on Friday.
The 67-year-old was attacked while giving a campaign speech in Nara in western Japan, according to Kyodo News. Abe, who was airlifted to a hospital in the city, was said to be “unconscious and unresponsive.”
The Japanese government said in a live broadcast that Abe is in “critical condition.”
Meanwhile, a 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in relation to the incident, per NHK.
Former and current political leaders from around the world have reacted in shock to the incident. Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, was in office for nine years before resigning in 2020, citing health reasons.
Former President Donald Trump said he was “devastated” by the attempt on Abe’s life. Trump had previously lauded Abe as “the greatest prime minister in Japan’s history.”
“Absolutely devastating news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, a truly great man and leader, has been shot, and is in very serious condition. He was a true friend of mine and, much more importantly, America. This is a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan, who loved and admired him so much. We are all praying for Shinzo and his beautiful family!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote in a post on Twitter that he was shocked that Abe had been shot.
“Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time,” he added.
—Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022
US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said he was “saddened” by the shooting, and praised Abe for being “an unwavering ally” of the US.
“We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States. The U.S. Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and people of Japan,” Emanuel told Insider in a statement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his thoughts were with Abe’s family and the Japanese people.
“I do have to say before we meet how deeply saddened and concerned we are by the news coming from Japan about the attempt on the life of Prime Minister Abe,” Blinken said at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bali. “This is a very, very sad moment and we are awaiting news,” he added.
Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen expressed his concern for Abe and commemorated the latter’s commitment to building diplomacy between their nations.
“I am surprised at the shocking incident that occurred in Nara,” Cohen wrote in Japanese on Twitter.
“One of Japan’s leading leaders, Abe, was the driving force behind the building of today’s friendly relations between Israel and Japan, and the strong bond between the two countries would not have been possible without his presence. I pray for your safety from the bottom of my heart.”
—Gilad Cohen 🇮🇱 (@GiladCohen_) July 8, 2022
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her thoughts were with Abe’s wife and the Japanese public.
“So deeply shocked to hear about the past PM of Japan-Shinzo Abe. He was one of the first leaders I met when I became PM. He was deeply committed to his role but also generous & kind. My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us all to the core,” Ardern wrote in a post on Twitter.
—Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) July 8, 2022
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that he was appaled by the shooting.
“My thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” Johnson added.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the attack on Abe, describing him as a “good friend” of Taiwan.
“I believe everyone is as surprised and sad as I am. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with rule of law,” she wrote in Mandarin in a Facebook post.
“Former Prime Minister Abe is not only a good friend of mine, but also a staunch friend of Taiwan’s. He has supported Taiwan for many years and spared no effort to promote the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations,” Tsai added.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen wrote in a Twitter post that she’s praying for Abe’s family.
“Dear @AbeShinzo, stay strong! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the people of Japan,” von der Leyen said.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a Facebook post that the attack is a “senseless act of violence” and that he was “deeply shocked.”
Mr Abe is in critical condition and doctors are working to save him. Mr Abe is a good friend of Singapore. I had just hosted him to lunch in May, on my visit to Tokyo. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Abe and his family,” Lee added.