Abe Shinzo was gunned down in the midst of a campaign speech on Friday. The former prime minister was the longest serving leader of Japan having been Prime Minister twice before stepping down in 2020. Abe, 67 was speaking at a campaign event when the suspected gunman, Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a former member of Japan’s navy attacked him from behind. Broadcaster NHK reported that he said he wanted to kill Abe because he had complaints about him unrelated to politics. Bullets destroyed an artery and Abe's heart was not able to be revived despite blood transfusions.
World leaders have expressed the shock in hearing of his murder, particularly in Japan where gun laws are more strict that almost anywhere.
Statement by President Biden on the Killing of Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo
I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning. This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him. I had the privilege to work closely with Prime Minister Abe. As Vice President, I visited him in Tokyo and welcomed him to Washington. He was a champion of the Alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people. The longest serving Japanese Prime Minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure. Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy. While there are many details that we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable and that gun violence always leaves a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it. The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief. I send my deepest condolences to his family.