Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe dies after being shot during campaign speech

Mr Abe, 67, was speaking at an event in Nara, Japan’s westernmost city, when he was shot and fell to the ground. He was taken to the hospital and was previously said to be in cardiopulmonary arrest.

A 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of carrying out the shooting, according to police. According to NHK, the suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, told police he was dissatisfied with Mr Abe and wanted to kill him.

Mr Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two shots rang out about 11.30am (2.30am GMT). Security officials were then seen tackling a man in grey T-shirt and beige trousers.

“There was a loud bang and then smoke,” businessman Makoto Ichikawa, who was at the scene, told Reuters, adding that the gun was the size of a television camera.

“The first shot, no one knew what was going on, but after the second shot, what looked like special police tackled him.”

TBS Television reported that Abe had been shot on the left side of his chest and apparently also in the neck.

Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled” to hear of the attack on Mr Abe.

Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe.

My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep concern over Mr Abe’s condition.

“Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan,” Mr Blinken said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali. “This is a very, very sad moment. And we’re awaiting news from Japan.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his thoughts are with Mr Abe’s family, and with the people of Japan.

Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot – our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022