Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed in an assassination attempt

Japan’s former Prime Minister Abe has died. The 67-year-old was shot during the election campaign and hospitalized with serious injuries.

Japan’s former prime minister has died from injuries sustained in the attack. This was confirmed by the hospital where the 67-year-old was treated after the attack. Politicians around the world reacted to the news with sadness and horror.

Abe was shot at around 11:30 a.m. local time (04:30 a.m. CET) while giving a campaign speech in Nara. Abe retired as prime minister in 2020 but remained politically active for his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

as ARD reporter Ulrich Mendgen reported The accused shot Abe twice from behind. He fell to the ground with serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

According to doctors, Abe’s vital signs were no longer detectable when he was admitted to the hospital. Abe suffered a severe heart injury and was bleeding profusely from two neck wounds. Despite a massive blood transfusion, he showed no signs of life after arriving at the hospital, said Hidetada Fukushima, head of the emergency department.

The accused is an ex-serviceman

The suspected shooter has been arrested, government sources said. It should be loud with him ARD reporter Ulrich Mendgen A 41-year-old man who was a member of the Japanese armed forces many years ago. A home-made double-barreled gun was discovered.

The suspect is currently being questioned by the police. His possible motive remains unclear. Conflicting information circulated. Initially, when the suspected shooter was arrested, he was said to be “displeased” with Abe and “wanted to kill him on purpose”. But the suspect reportedly denied any political motivation for his actions. So, it could also be a mentally ill person, guess what Mentgen.

He was the longest serving Prime Minister

Abe ruled Japan from December 2012 to September 2020. Under him, Japan moved significantly to the right. Abe has been one of the staunchest supporters of post-war pacifist constitutional revisions. In Article 9 of the Constitution, Japan “forever renounces war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes”.

Japan is in a state of “horror” after the attack Mentgen reported. As political attacks are very rare, this act is not applicable to this country. A similar attack happened eight years ago. So the shock is high now.

Sympathy from abroad

The deadly attack on Abe also caused deep horror abroad. A central government spokesman insisted that Germany was firmly on Japan’s side.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it “incredibly sad news”. Abe’s “global leadership role will not be forgotten. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was also shocked: “My thoughts are with the family of our Japanese friend, who was always very respectful to Poland.”