'Shocking': Fatal shooting of Japan's ex-premier stuns world leaders

ISTANBUL/BERLIN/ANKARA: World leaders expressed shock Friday after Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot at an election campaign event, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

Many countries and leaders extended condolences to the family of Abe, the people of Japan, and condemned the attack.

Turkiye condemned the "heinous armed attack" on Abe.

"We strongly condemn the heinous armed attack today targeting former Prime Minister of Japan Abe Shinzo," according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

It said Abe had made "significant contributions to the Turkish-Japanese relations."

Ankara conveyed its "deepest sympathies to his family as well as to the friendly people and government of Japan."

Boris Johnson, the United Kingdom (UK)'s interim prime minister, said it was "incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe."

"His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time," he said on Twitter.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi offered condolences to the government and people of Japan.

"Italy is shocked by the terrible attack, which affects Japan, its free democratic debate. Abe has been a great protagonist of Japanese and international political life in recent decades, thanks to his innovative spirit, his vision of reform. Italy is close to his loved ones, to the Government and to the entire Japanese people."

European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the "brutal and cowardly murder of" the former Japanese prime minister.

"I mourn with his family, his friends and all the people of Japan," she said.

In his condolence message on Twitter, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Mr. Abe made an immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Today, the whole India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment."

Modi also announced one day of mourning in India.

Zhao Lijian, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Beijing was "shocked by the incident."

"We would like to extend our sympathy to his family," Zhao said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "deeply shocked" by the heinous attack on Abe.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, in a statement, said: "We are convinced that those who planned and committed this monstrous crime will bear the due measure of responsibility for this act of terrorism, which cannot be justified," ministry's spokeswoman said in a statement.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: "Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot - our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time."

Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan's Prime Minister, also expressed "deep shock" over the attack on Abe.

"We send our prayers and best wishes for his early recovery and good health. Our thoughts are with him, his family, and the people of Japan," he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sent a condolence message to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Scholz expressed his deep sorrow for the killing, describing the attack as "malicious," according to the chancellor's office.

He noted that Abe had valued the friendship between Germany and Japan for many years and that he was a constructive and reliable partner of Germany.

Abe, 67, was delivering a speech on a street in the western city of Nara when he was "shot from behind" by a person who has now been arrested, according to local media.

The incident termed "barbaric" and "totally intolerable" by Kishida, which took place at around 11.30 am local time (0230GMT).

The former prime minister was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at around 5.03 pm local time (0803GMT).

Abe had a bullet wound to the right of his neck and was suffering from internal bleeding in his chest, according to the Kyodo News Agency.

Senate elections are due in Japan on Sunday and Abe was campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates.

The assailant has been identified as 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of Nara who said that he has "no grudge against Abe's political beliefs."

Kishida called his Cabinet to return to Tokyo to decide how to respond as Japan goes to elections Sunday to elect half of its senate members.

Meanwhile, Japan's National Police Agency (NPA) announced an investigation will be launched to reveal whether there was a "security flaw" in the incident, according to reports.

-- BERNAMA