Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe has died after being shot this morning while campaigning for a parliamentary electionin the Nara region. A man opened fire on Abe, 67, from behind with an apparently homemade gun as he spoke at a drab traffic island in the western city of Nara, Japanese media showed earlier. The former leader had been delivering a stump speech at an event ahead of Sunday's upper house elections when the apparent sound of gunshots was heard.
Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested. The shooter is a former member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force.
News agency NHK quoted the suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, as telling police he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him.
Here are the highlights on attack on Shinzo Abe:
The suspected killer of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe admitted targeting him and said he held a grudge against an organisation he believed the politician was connected to, police said Friday.
Moments before he was fatally shot from behind on Friday, Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was doing what he'd done for decades in politics: getting up close to the crowds and stumping for a local candidate.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condoled the death of former prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on Friday, saying the world has lost a great leader.
"Saddened to know about the demise of former PM of Japan Shinzo Abe. The world has lost a great leader. May the departed soul rest in peace. My prayers are with his family and friends," Kejriwal tweeted.
For nearly five hours after former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot this morning, doctors tried to save him, but he could not survive as he had a "wide gaping hole in the heart", according to the hospital.
Police sources told local media that a 41-year-old named Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested after the attack on charges of attempted murder.
Several outlets, citing the defence ministry, said Yamagami had spent three years in Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country's navy, leaving the service around 2005.
He reportedly used a "handmade" weapon, in a country with strict gun laws that make obtaining a firearm extremely difficult.
NHK said he told police after his arrest that he "was frustrated with the former prime minister and targeted Abe with the intention of killing him".
(AFP)
Officials found explosives at the house of the shooter today. The 41-year-old, a former member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, opened fire at Abe with an apparently homemade gun.
"I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place," PM Modi tweeted.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that he is "deeply shocked" by the news about the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign event in western Japan and prayed for his recovery.
Earlier today Abe, 67, was rushed to hospital after he was shot at and collapsed at 11.30 am (local time) during a campaign speech in the western Japanese city of Nara ahead of Sunday's elections for Japan's upper house of Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep distress at the attack on former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, who is in a critical condition after being shot during a campaign speech on Friday in western Japan. Abe was airlifted to a hospital but he was not breathing and his heart had stopped, officials in Japan said.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg expressed shock Friday at the attack on Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe and said the defence alliance stood by Japan and its government under current premier Fumio Kishida.
"Deeply shocked by the heinous shooting of @AbeShinzo as he was addressing voters. My thoughts are with him and his family. #NATO stands with the people of our close partner #Japan and PM @kishida230," Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
China 'shocked' by attack on former Japan PM Shinizo Abe: foreign ministry
NATO chief 'deeply shocked' by 'heinous' attack on Japan's Abe
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said they were shocked by the attack on Japan ex PM Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech.
In a message, Mr Singh said, "Deeply shocked by the tragic attack on my friend former Prime Minister Abe. My prayers are with him and family".
"Deeply shocked by the tragic attack on my friend former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. My prayers are with him and family," says former Prime Minister and Congress leader Dr Manmohan Singh.
Japanese former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot on Friday while campaigning in the city of Nara, a government spokesman said.