Japan’s Former Prime Minister Shot Dead During Political Campaign
Abe was the longest serving prime minister who held the position for a year in 2006 and then later between 2012 and 2020.
Former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, died after being shot during a public campaign in the city of Nara on July 8. The 67-year-old was shot from behind while he was delivering a campaign speech, ahead of the upper house elections, outside a train station in the western city of Japan. Abe was the longest serving prime minister who held the position for a year in 2006 and then later between 2012 and 2020.
Right after being shot, Abe did not show any signs of movement. He was airlifted to the hospital, during which he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away. The perpetrator was identified as 41-year-old Yamagami Tetsuya, a former member of Maritime Self-Defense Force, who was “dissatisfied” with the Abe and as a result, wanted to murder him. Tetsuya was arrested by the police and the weapon, which is believed to be home made, was confiscated.
Calling it a heinous act, Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, said, “I have great respect for the legacy Shinzo Abe left behind and I pay the deepest condolences,” as reported by ABC News. He added, “It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated.”
According to eyewitnesses, the shooter came from behind while Abe was giving a speech. “The first shot sounded like a toy. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke,” the eye witness said, as reported by NHK
The shooting was a shock for the country considering the stringent gun laws in the country. According to reports, the shooter, for the same reason, made the gun at home. Upon raiding the house of the culprit, police also found other explosives and ammunition.
