Japan ex-PM Abe shooting suspect told police he intended to kill him - NHK

TOKYO: A man suspected of shooting Shinzo Abe told police he was unhappy with the Japanese former prime minister and intended to kill him, national broadcaster NHK said, citing police.

The suspect, who is reported to have been a former Maritime Self-Defense Force member, is currently in police custody.

Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested. NHK quoted the suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, as telling police he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him.

Police also said the suspected shooter was a resident of Nara. Media said he had served in Japan's military for three years until 2005.

Abe was rushed to hospital on Friday after being shot during a campaign speech.

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