Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is dead after he was shot during a speech, according to reports. He was 67..According to NHK Public Television, Abe collapsed and was bleeding after apparently being shot twice with a shotgun during a campaign speech in west Japan..Abe was shot at a political campaign event two days before upper house elections. .Responses to Abe's assassination have poured in from politicians around the world.."Laureen and I are horrified by the assassination of my former colleague, Prime Minister @AbeShinzo," tweeted former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.."As Japan's longest-serving PM, he championed democracy, freedom, and a strong Japan among the world’s democracies. His legacy will long endure. We grieve with Akie and his family.".German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was “stunned and deeply saddened” by the news of Abe’s death..“We stand closely by Japan’s side even in these difficult hours,” Scholz tweeted, expressing his deepest sympathy to the late leader’s family..French President Emmanuel Macron said, “Japan has lost a great prime minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to ensure order in the world.”.Vladimir Putin, Russian president, on Friday called Abe’s death an “irreplaceable loss.”.“Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter. “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.” “The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time," Johnson said..Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sad: “The tragic death of former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo is devastating news. … Mr Abe was one of Australia’s closest friends on the world stage. … Under his leadership, Japan emerged as one of Australia’s most like-minded partners in Asia — a legacy that endures today..“Mr Abe was a leader in the Indo-Pacific, championing a vision of a free and open region. The Quad and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership are in many ways the results of his diplomatic leadership..“Mr Abe was also a giant on the world stage — a leader in the G7, the G20 and the United Nations. His legacy was one of global impact, and a profound and positive one for Australia.”.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg added his condolences:.“Deeply saddened by the heinous killing of Shinzo Abe, a defender of democracy and my friend and colleague over many years. My deepest condolences to his family, PM Fumio Kishida and the people of NATO’s partner Japan at this difficult time.”."The attacker, male, is in police custody," Kurumi Mori stated on Twitter. .Abe was transported from ambulance to a helicopter now being airlifted to a hospital, NHK reports..A witness to the attack told the broadcaster that the first shot caused Abe to stumble backwards, adding that he fell to the ground after the second shot..The suspect in the shooting used a handmade gun which appears to have been homemade by the suspect, NHK TV, Japan's public broadcaster said, quoting police..Abe first took office in 2006 as Japan's youngest prime minister since the Second World War..In 2014, his government reinterpreted the post-war, pacifist constitution to allow troops to fight overseas for the first time following the Second World War..Abe served two terms as prime minister to become Japan's longest-serving premier before stepping down in 2020 due to ill-health.
