INDIA/JAPAN: India has announced one day of national mourning on July 9 as a mark of respect for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was shot dead on Friday.
Abe was shot by Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, while giving a speech during a campaign in Nara, Japan.
PM Modi expressed his shock over Abe’s tragic death. In a tweet he said, “As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister #ShinzoAbe, a one-day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022,”
After the attack, Abe was taken to the hospital. According to early media accounts citing the police, it looked that the former Japanese prime minister had been shot in the chest.
He had “cardiopulmonary arrest,” according to their description, and had no vital signs.
Later, the government-controlled Liberal Democratic Party was cited by public broadcaster NHK as saying that Abe had passed away. According to representatives of the Nara Medical University Hospital, Abe passed away at 5:03 p.m. (local time) and suffered two bullet wounds in his neck.
In advance of Sunday’s elections for Japan’s upper chamber of Parliament, a gun that appeared to be handcrafted was found at the location where Abe was campaigning for a candidate.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi too expressed grief over the unfortunate moment.
Japan’s longest-serving leader, Abe, retired in 2020, citing health concerns. He served as Japan’s prime minister twice, from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 20. Yoshihide Suga and then Fumio Kishida succeeded him.
Earlier today, during a live speech to the nation, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared that “this is not a forgivable conduct” and that authorities will “take proper measures to tackle the situation.”
Kishida added that the reason for Abe’s shooting is unknown.
The media outlet cited official sources when it said that the shooting suspect in the death of Abe was formerly a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The Japanese PM further asked that no one at the time speculate about any potential political implications.
Also Read: Japan’s Former PM Shinzo Abe Shot in the Chest at Campaign Event
