Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been killed in an assassination attempt, state broadcaster NHK has reported.
Earlier, local media reported that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had been attacked during the election campaign in the Nara region, where he was in critical condition after being shot.
The national broadcaster NHK quoted police sources as saying that a 40-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the assassination attempt on the former prime minister, weapons also recovered from him.
According to the NHK and Kyodo News Agency, the former prime minister was addressing a ceremony ahead of next Sunday’s Upper House elections when gunfire was reported.
The woman at the scene told the NHK that the former prime minister was giving a speech when a man came from behind, first firing, which sounded like a toy but did not fall, and then a loud explosion happened.
The woman added that the second fire on him was visible, sparks and smoke could be seen, after the second bullet, people surrounded him and started his cardiac massage.
Sources in Shinzo Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) told the JG News Agency that Shinzo Abe, 67 years old, fallen and was bleeding from his neck after the attack.
Both NHK and Kyodo news agencies reported that Shinzo Abe was taken to hospital because his condition appeared to be critical and fears of his death were rising.
Several media outlets reported that he appeared to have been shot in the back.
The government says a task force has been formed in the wake of the incident and senior government spokespersons are expected to speak soon.
Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, ruled for one year in 2006 and then served as prime minister from 2012 to 2020, and after eight years in power he was forced to resign due to intestinal disease.
Japan has some of the strictest gun control laws in the world, and the annual death toll from firearms in the country of 15 million people is very low.
Obtaining a gun license is also a long and complicated process for Japanese citizens, who must first obtain a recommendation from the Shooting Association and then undergo strict police checks.
Since the announcement of Shinzo Abe’s death, the assassination attempt on him has caused international shock, regret and concern.