Biden expresses outrage, condolences to Kishida on fatal shooting of Shinzo Abe

MOSCOW: US President Joe Biden on Friday called Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to express his outrage, sadness and deep condolences on the tragic and violent shooting of ex-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the White House said in a statement, Sputnik reported.

Abe, 67, was attacked on Friday morning in the Japanese city of Nara during his campaign speech. Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, approached the politician from behind and fired two shots from a distance of about 10 metres (33 feet). Police said Abe was conscious immediately after being wounded, but then, during transportation, his condition became critical "with cardiac and pulmonary arrest". Later in the day, Nara Medical University hospital pronounced him dead.

Biden praised Abe's "enduring legacy with his vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific and the establishment of the QUAD meetings of Japan, the United States, Australia and India." The president expressed confidence in the strength of Japan's democracy and discussed the importance of defending peace and democracy with Kishida.

The president visited Japanese Ambassador to the US Koji Tomita to express his condolences earlier on Friday and issued a proclamation ordering all US flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on July 10 out of respect for Abe.

-- BERNAMA