The former Prime Minister of Japan was gunned down while giving a speech on Friday. Shinzo Abe died after being shot in the western city of Nara.
He was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister before he resigned years ago.
The Washington Post reported, “Abe was admitted to the Nara Medical University Hospital, and government sources cited in media reports said the former leader was in critical condition. Local media, citing police sources, described Abe’s status as a ‘cardiopulmonary arrest,’ a term often used in Japan before death is officially confirmed.”
The man who shot Abe told the police that he was “frustrated” with him and wanted to kill him.
The present 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. We condemn it in the harshest possible terms. We will take all possible measures to prepare for every possible situation.”
Former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence were both quick to respond to Abe’s death.
“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,” Trump said.
And Pence said, “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!”
Pence also sent this message, “.@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.”
.@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
The White House was slow to release a statement condemning the attack. But finally, they wrote, “We are closely monitoring the reports and keeping our thoughts with his family and the people of Japan.”
