Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died on Friday after being shot by a 41-year-old man during an election speech, reported India Today.
Abe, Japan’s longest-serving leader, was admitted to hospital in grave condition after being shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election in Nara, western Japan.
Earlier, in a press conference, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida confirmed Abe’s condition and said doctors were working hard to save him.
As per the report, Abe was shot from behind minutes after he started his speech. He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital.
The 67-year-old Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said 9 July will be observed as a day of national mourning over death of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe who succumbed to his bullet wounds on Friday.
He said that the day will be observed as a mark of respect for Abe. ”As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, a one day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022,” PM Modi tweeted.
In other tweet, expressing his condolence, PM Modi said he was saddened beyond words over a tragic demise of Abe.
“I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe,” he said in a tweet.
He further added: “He [Abe] 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.”
Talking about his association with Abe, he tweeted, “My association with Mr. Abe goes back many years. I had got to know him during my tenure as Gujarat CM and our friendship continued after I became PM. His sharp insights on economy and global affairs always made a deep impression on me.”
