During a stump speech, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed in the city of Nara.
Reports of the shooting indicate Abe showed no vital signs while being moved to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after being seen by medical professionals.
Shinzo Abe resigned for health reasons two years prior. His term as Japan’s Prime Minister was the longest in the nation’s history.
According to the Washington Post, “Abe was admitted to the Nara Medical University Hospital, and government sources cited in media reports said the former leader was in critical condition.” Their report went on to say, “Local media, citing police sources, described Abe’s status as a ‘cardiopulmonary arrest,’ a term often used in Japan before death is officially confirmed.”
In response to Abe’s killing, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, “This is a despicable and barbaric act that occurred in the midst of an election which is the foundation of democracy and absolutely cannot be tolerated. He went on to say, “We condemn it in the harshest possible terms. We will take all possible measures to prepare for every possible situation.”
Shinzo Abe had a history of sustaining positive relations with nations around the globe. Of those leaders, Abe met with President Trump on numerous occasions.
Trump responded to the shooting by saying, “Absolutely devastating news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, a truly great man, and leader, has been shot, and is in very serious condition. “He was a true friend of mine and, much more importantly, America. This is a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan, who loved and admired him so much. We are all praying for Shinzo and his beautiful family!”
Former Vice President Mike Pence also took to Twitter saying, “@KarenPence and I were deeply troubled to learn of the shooting of fomer Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe-san was a remarkable leader of Japan and an unshakeable ally of the U.S. We join millions praying for this truly good man and his family. God bless Shinzo Abe.”
.@KarenPence and I were deeply troubled to learn of the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe-san was a remarkable leader of Japan and an unshakeable ally of the U.S. We join millions praying for this truly good man and his family. God bless Shinzo Abe pic.twitter.com/ojTYkOZxe8
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) July 8, 2022
