Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Assassinated During Election Campaign Event

Topline

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died on Friday after being shot during an election campaign event in Nara, Japan, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, in an incident that has shocked the country where shootings and political violence is extremely rare.

Key Facts

Key Background

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister, was shot while speaking an election campaign event in the western Japanese city of Nara. Abe was speaking in support of a local candidate running in the Japanese Parliament’s Upper House election on Sunday. In the middle of Abe’s speech, the crowd heard two shots being fired and then saw Abe collapse on stage. He was immediately airlifted to the nearby Nara Medical University hospital. NHK reported that police immediately arrested the suspected shooter—a 41-year-old local man named Yamagami Tetsuya who previously served in the Japanese Navy. Police also were able to recover a handmade gun at the scene. Police discovered multiple explosives and several handmade firearms after conducting a search of Tetsuya’s apartment. The incident has triggered shock across Japan as shootings and political violence are extremely rare. Several global leaders also expressed their condolences.

Surprising Fact

Abe was born to a prominent political family and his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, was prime minister from 1957 to 1960. Kishi was also the target of an assassination attempt and was stabbed during his final days in office. He survived the attempt.

Further Reading

‘Shocked And Saddened’: World Leaders React To Shooting Of Shinzo Abe (Forbes)

Japan’s Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shot While Giving Campaign Speech (Forbes)