Shinzo Abe death: Japan cops identify 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami as suspect in assassination | Updates

The shocking assassination of Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who shaped a strong policy against China, on Friday evoked mixed reactions in this country with the government expressing shock and sympathy while netizens gloated calling for "champagne celebrations".

"China is shocked" by Abe's sudden death, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said, condoling the demise of the former prime minister. Zhao said Abe contributed to the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.

Earlier, in guarded remarks at the media briefing well before Abe’s death was officially announced, Zhao said, “We noted this unexpected incident and we are shocked. We are following the situation.”

“We hope former Prime Minister Abe will be out of danger and recover soon”, he said, adding that China will extend sympathies to his family.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed sadness over the “horrific killing” of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and said he will always remember his collegiality and commitment to multilateralism.

Abe, 67, was shot from behind in Nara in western Japan while giving a campaign speech. He was airlifted to a hospital but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital. Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons.

Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old, has been named as the suspect in the killing of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. The suspect told cops that he had used a handmade gun. 

President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday condoled the death of Shinzo Abe and said he found it difficult to believe that the former Japanese prime minister was no more. Kovind said Abe falling prey to an assassin's bullet was a tragedy for the entire humanity.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on Friday ordered enhanced security for Cabinet ministers and other politicians following the fatal shooting of former prime minister Shinzo Abe during an election campaign in western Japan's Nara city.

Kishida, who along with his Cabinet ministers hastily returned to Tokyo from campaign events around the country after the shooting, condemned the attack as “dastardly and barbaric". The prime minister, after discussing responses to the attack with National Public Safety Commission Chairperson Ninoyu Satoshi, Justice Minister Furukawa Yoshihisa, and others for about 20 minutes on Friday afternoon, told officials never to yield to violence and terrorism.

A timeline of Shinzo Abe's relationship with India

Congress President Sonia Gandhi said she is shocked at the assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan. "For many years, Abe was a great friend and well-wisher of India. He did much to expand and deepen the bilateral relationship between our two countries.  I recall my meeting with him very fondly and vividly. It is a huge misfortune that has befallen Japan and indeed, the entire international community. He will be sorely missed," said Sonia Gandhi 

The former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was shot in broad daylight while he was delivering a speech on Friday. This has not only shocked Japan but the entire world, which is known to be a low-crime nation with extremely strict gun control. Read More

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Friday expressed anguish over the demise of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, and said he played a crucial role in strengthening India-Japan ties. Abe, one of his nation's most powerful and influential figures, died after being shot during a campaign speech on Friday in western Japan, according to NHK public television.

Friday's shocking assassination of Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in one of the world's safest country stunned the world and drew condemnation, with Iran calling it an “act of terrorism" and Spain slamming the “cowardly attack." Abe, 67, was shot from behind in Nara in western Japan while giving a campaign speech. He was airlifted to a hospital but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital. Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons. Police have arrested a suspected gunman at the scene.

Shinzo Abe was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital, reported news agency AP.

Japan police raided the home of suspected shooter Yamamashi Tetsuya on Friday, after he allegedly shot former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Abe later succumbed to the bullet wounds in Nara, near Kyoto.

Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe succumbed to bullet wounds and passed away on Friday. He was shot during an election speech in western Japan's Nara. The suspected shooter has been identified as Yamamashi Tetsuya.

"Japan's former premier Shinzo Abe is fighting for his life after being shot at a campaign event," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says, condemning the "absolutely unforgivable" attack. "I pray that former prime minister Abe will survive", he said, reported news agency AFP.

World leaders expressed shock and anguish over Friday’s shooting of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech and prayed for his quick recovery. Abe was shot in western Japan and airlifted to a hospital. Officials said he was not breathing and his heart had stopped.

Born into a prominent political family, Shinzo Abe, who was shot at a campaign event on Friday (July 8) in western Japan, had been the country’s longest-serving prime minister. FULL STORY

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the U.S. was “deeply saddened and deeply concerned” over the attempted killing of Abe. “We don’t know his condition. We do know that apparently he’s been shot. Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan. This is a very, very sad moment,” he said on the sidelines of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations meeting on Indonesia’s Bali island.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "appalled and saddened" by the shooting of former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe. "Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones," he tweeted.

Former US President Donald Trump shared his well wishes for Shinzo Abe on his social media platform Truth Social, calling the shooting absolutely devastating news. "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 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said they were shocked by the attack on ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech. The 67-year-old Abe was shot at while giving a campaign speech in western Japan. He was not breathing and his heart stopped while being airlifted to a hospital. In a message, Singh said, "Deeply shocked by the tragic attack on my friend former Prime Minister Abe. My prayers are with him and family".

It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated. We will do everything we can...At this moment, doctors are working very hard to save Mr. Abe: Japanese PM Fumio Kishida

We are shocked and saddened to hear about the violent attack against former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. We are closely monitoring the reports and keeping our thoughts with his family and the people of Japan: White House

Abe in critical condition, praying for his recovery. Doctors are working very hard to save Abe. I am praying from my heart that Abe survives this ordeal. Condemn this act in the strongest of terms.

Japan is considered to be one of the world’s safest and most peaceful nations. Japan has also some of the strictest gun control laws than any other country. FULL STORY

Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, said in a post on Twitter: “We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the US. The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, & people of Japan.”

The attack was a shock in a country that's one of the world’s safest and with some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere.

Local fire department official Makoto Morimoto said Abe was in cardio and pulmonary arrest, or CPA, after being shot, meaning he was not breathing and his heart stopped while he was being airlifted to a prefectural hospital.

The arrested man has been identified as Yamagami Tetsuya (41). He is a former maritime self defence force member, according to news agency Reuters

Abe served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japanese history. He also served as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2012 to 2020.

Shocked to hear the news of the attack on former PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe, who has been instrumental in deepening Indo-Japanese ties. Prayers for his recovery. My thoughts are with his family: Rahul Gandhi, former Congress president

Reports say that Shinzo Abe collapsed after a second shot was fired. He appeared to have been shot from behind, possibly with a shotgun.

Govt spokesperson says Japan PM Fumio Kishida and cabinet ministers are returning to Tokyo after Abe was shot, reports AP.

According to reports, Abe was shot in the heart leading to failure. He was airlifted from the site and admitted to a hospital. As per the aired footage, Abe collapsed on the street, with several security guards running toward him. 

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots at the site following which Abe collapsed. Police said that a male suspect, believed to be in his late 30s, was arrested at the scene.

According to Japan's chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Abe was shot at around 11:30 am in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been arrested. 

Shinzo Abe was rushed to a hospital bleeding, with first responders saying he was showing no vital signs. Reports say that Abe has gone into pulmonary cardiac arrest.

Shinzo Abe was on stage and delivering an election speech when he was shot at. According to reports, two bullets hit Abe in the chest.

Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was in heart failure after apparently being shot during a campaign speech Friday in western Japan, NHK public television said Friday.