Jakarta, IO – Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe died after having been shot while giving a campaign speech ahead of the upper house election in Nara, Sunday (10/7).
According to a senior LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) official, Abe was rushed to a hospital in Kashihara city, where he received emergency medical treatment. Unfortunately, medics could not save his life, reported NHK on Saturday (8/8).
He suffered from gunshot wound on the right side of his neck, bleeding in his left chest, and succumbed to heart failure.
According to a bystander at the scene, two loud gunshots were heard before Shinzo Abe was seen bleeding profusely and fell to the ground.
Read: Breaking: Japan’s ex-PM Shinzo Abe shot by an unknown assailant
The police arrested an individual named Tetsuya Yamagami (41), who lives in Nara City. He was identified as the gunman and is allegedly a former member of the Japanese Defense Force. Security officers also confiscated what appeared to be a handmade shotgun.
Shinzo Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister who held office from 2006-2007 and again from 2012-2020. Previously, he was Chief Cabinet Secretary in Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi administration. (rr)