Shinzo Abe: former Japan prime minister confirmed dead after being shot in city of Nara – latest updates | Shinzo Abe

Former UK prime minister Theresa Might has paid tribute to Shinzo Abe, calling him “a statesman of the very best calibre”.

Hidetada Fukushima, professor of emergency medication at Nara Medical College Hospital, stated that Shinzo Abe sustained two wounds on entrance of his neck, about 5cm aside. One of many bullets penetrated the center. He stated they performed blood transfusions however had been in the end unable to cease the bleeding. Abe was handled by a staff of greater than 20 medical workers.

A information convention is now being held at Nara Medical College hospital.

Medics on the hospital say that Shinzo Abe had no important indicators when he arrived on the hospital however that they performed resuscitation. “It was extraordinarily severe, it was very grave,” the medic stated of his situation on arrival. He had two wounds within the neck and subcutaneous haemorrhage. Abe was confirmed useless at 5.03pm.

Shinzo Abe confirmed useless

Japan has near-zero tolerance of gun possession and one of many lowest charges of gun violence on the planet, making the assault on Shinzo Abe notably stunning.

My colleagues Cait Kelly and Justin McCurry have regarded on the nation’s gun legal guidelines and laws. They write:

The pathway to gun possession in Japan takes 13 steps. First, potential gun house owners want to affix a looking or taking pictures membership, they then need to take a firearm class and cross a written examination, earlier than getting a physician to state they’re mentally match and don’t have any historical past of drug dependency.

They then have to use to take a full-day course in the best way to fireplace a gun and retailer it safely.

The police then interview potential gun house owners about why they need a firearm and conduct an intensive background verify that entails interviewing members of the individual’s household, their relationship with their neighbours, employment historical past and their monetary standing.

In the event that they cross, they will then apply for a gunpowder allow and get a certificates from a supplier about what kind of gun they need. They then want to purchase an ammunition locker and gun protected, which is inspected by police, who then do one other background verify.

In 2013, the nation hit a document excessive for gun crime – with 40 legal instances of weapons being fired, however has adopted a downward development since – in 2020, there have been 21 arrests for the usage of firearms, with 12 of them gang-related, Nikkei Asia reported.

Shinzo Abe’s spouse, Akie Abe, has arrived in Nara, the place her husband is being handled, in keeping with Japanese media.

His brother, defence minister Nobuo Kishi, stated earlier that Abe was receiving blood transfusions, in keeping with Reuters. He has described the taking pictures as a sacrilege in opposition to democracy.

Learn right here the Guardian’s newest report on the taking pictures of Shinzo Abe, who’s in a vital situation after being shot whereas making a speech within the western metropolis of Nara.

His successor, Fumio Kishida, referred to as the taking pictures an unforgivable act, and stated he hoped Abe – the nation’s longest-serving prime minister till he resigned in 2020 – would survive the assault.

Extra response from around the globe to the taking pictures of Shinzo Abe. He was shot this morning as he gave a marketing campaign speech in Nara.

Nato secretary common Jens Stoltenberg stated he was “deeply shocked”.

“My ideas are with him and his household,” he tweeted. “Nato stands with the folks of our shut associate Japan.”

Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong described Abe as “an excellent buddy of Singapore”.

“I’m deeply shocked to be taught that former Japanese prime minister Abe Shinzo was shot in Nara prefecture this morning. This can be a mindless act of violence,” he stated in a Fb publish.

European Council president Charles Michel described Abe as “a real buddy, fierce defender of multilateral order and democratic values”.

The Russian embassy in Japan stated in a Fb publish: “We pray for the well being of the previous prime minister of Japan, Mr Shinzo Abe … We strongly condemn the barbaric try on his life.”

Airo Hino, political science professor at Waseda College, has informed Reuters that such a taking pictures was unprecedented within the nation. “There has by no means been something like this,” he stated.

Japan has very low charges of gun crime and political violence can also be uncommon, experiences Reuters:

In 2007, the mayor of Nagasaki was shot and killed by a yakuza gangster. The pinnacle of the Japan Socialist social gathering was assassinated throughout a speech in 1960 by a rightwing youth with a samurai quick sword.

Senior Japanese politicians are accompanied by armed safety brokers however usually get near the general public, particularly throughout political campaigns once they make roadside speeches and shake palms with passersby.”

Politicians globally proceed to react to the taking pictures of Shinzo Abe this morning.

Prime minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas has stated such violence is “an assault in opposition to the very thought of democracy”.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Fee, urges Abe: “keep robust”.

Extra leaders and politicians from around the globe have issued statements in response to this morning’s taking pictures.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi stated he was “deeply distressed” by the assault and that his ideas and prayers had been with Shinzo Abe, “his household and the folks of Japan”.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern stated she was “deeply shocked” by the information.

He was one of many first leaders I formally met after I turned prime minister. He was deeply dedicated to his function, and in addition beneficiant and type. I recall him asking after the current lack of our pet after I met him, a small gesture however one which speaks to the sort of individual he’s. My ideas are together with his spouse and the folks of Japan. Occasions like this shake us all to the core.”

Malaysia’s overseas minister Saifuddin Abdullah, said on Twitter that the federal government and other people of Malaysia had been “praying for his speedy restoration”.

The Philippines overseas secretary Enrique Manalo stated: “I prolong my deep sympathy and pray for his early restoration.”