The politician gave a speech at a campaign rally ahead of the Senate election to be held Sunday, when shots were heard, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK and Kyodo news agency. Abe, 67, collapsed and was bleeding from his neck, a source from Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) told the Jiji news agency.
CAUTION: Images may be experienced as shocking.
Footage captures the moment when the alleged gunman is overpowered.
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Several local media reported that the politician appears to have been shot from behind. He was said to have been hit in the left chest and neck.
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Many emergency services were on site
ANP / AP
Crisis team
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has now aborted his election campaign and is on his way to the capital Tokyo, various local media report. His government has formed a crisis team. Political parties have stopped campaigning. It is not clear whether the polls will continue this weekend. According to Kishida, it is too early to say anything about it now. The government will consider this at a later date.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting. Japanese media report that it is a former soldier and that he has fired shots with a homemade firearm. The man told police he had no grudge against Abe’s political views, according to Kyodo news agency. Shortly before that, NHK news channel reported that the man had stated that he was not happy with Abe and that he planned to kill him. Violence against politicians is rare in Japan, and shootings are also rare in the country.
‘Sad and shocked’
US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said he was “sad and shocked” by the shooting of Abe. “Abe has been an outstanding leader of Japan and a staunch ally of the United States. The US government and the American people pray for the well-being of Abe, his family and the people of Japan.” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed their horror at the shooting of Abe. Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he is “deeply shocked” by the “appalling attack on my friend” Shinzo Abe.
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Contrary to comments from Japan, Europe and the US, some users of Chinese social media such as Weibo and WeChat are celebrating Abe’s shooting. Chinese nationalists see the event as a kind of ‘battle’ against Japan. Traditionally, ties between the two countries have been poor, especially due to events during World War II.
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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
ANP / Associated Press
Abe led Japan in 2006 and 2007 and again between 2012 and 2020. After stepping down due to health problems, he remained active within his party. He was the country’s longest-serving prime minister.