Leaders from around the world expressed shock after former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe died after being shot at an election campaign event on Friday in an apparent assassination attempt in a country where gun violence and political violence are extremely rare.
Key Facts
- Immediately after the shooting, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called the incident a “despicable and barbaric act” but later said he was “lost for words” after news of Abe’s death became public.
- The White House also condemned the “violent attack” against Abe and said it was closely monitoring the situation and “keeping our thoughts with his [Abe’s] family and the people of Japan.”
- In a post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump said the news of the shooting was “absolutely devastating” and said the former Japanese prime minister is a “truly great man” and “a true friend of mine and…America.”
- Russian President Vladimir Putin in a statement said Abe’s death was an “irreparable loss,” and called him an “outstanding statesman” in a telegram sent to his family.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted he was “utterly appalled and saddened” by news of the “despicable attack” and later added Abe’s “global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many.”
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter hailed Abe as “wonderful person, great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order” and decried the “brutal and cowardly murder.”
- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol called Abe’s killing an “unpardonable act of crime” and called Abe a “respected politician.”
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi—who had built a close personal bond with Abe—said he was “shocked and saddened beyond words” and declared a day of national mourning in India to honor the former Japanese premier on Saturday.
Key Background
The 67-year-old former prime minister was shot during an election campaign event in the western Japanese city of Nara. Abe was campaigning on behalf of a local candidate who is running in the Japanese Parliament’s Upper House election on Sunday. While delivering a speech Abe appeared to suddenly collapse after two gunshots were heard by the crowd.
Abe was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and reportedly showed no vital signs. Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that police have apprehended the suspected shooter, a 41-year-old man named Yamagami Tetsuya, and also managed to recover a handmade gun at the scene. Officials in Japan have yet to comment on a possible motive for the shooting.
The incident has triggered shock across Japan which has strict gun control laws, and political violence is extremely rare. Further Reading Japan’s Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shot While Giving Campaign Speech (Forbes)
From: forbes
URL: https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2022/07/08/shocked-and-saddened-world-leaders-react-to-shooting-of-shinzo-abe/
