- Thursday, March 13, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
JAPAN’S former prime minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated during a political campaign rally in the southern Japanese city of Nara on Friday (8), which left the entire world shell-shocked. According to the eastern Asian country’s media reports, the 67-year-old was “unresponsive” while being air lifted to a nearby hospital and was in cardiopulmonary arrest. An emotional Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida addressed a press conference where he said the state of the former premier remained “very grave” and he was praying for his recovery.
Later, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK and Jiji news agency confirmed that Abe passed away.
“According to a senior LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) official, former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara region, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67,” NHK said.
The hospital authorities at the Turner’s Medical University said Abe was treated for more than four and half hours but the doctors were unable to revive him. The politician bled profusely and despite blood transfusions, he could not be saved.
Meanwhile, the shooter was arrested after he shot at Abe and was identified as Tetsuya Yamagami.
More information has come out on the shooter. He is a 41 year old man named Yamagami Tetsuya. He served three years in the Naval SDF until 2005. When questioned, he said that he was dissatisfied with Abe so decided to k*II him. pic.twitter.com/aXxLsjta63
— Masaki (@MasakiJinzaburo) July 8, 2022
Local reports in Japan said the police identified the gunman as Yamagami and it was reported that he is a former maritime Self Defence Force member who served for around three years, till around 2005. The man, who is said to be in his 40s, used a homemade weapon to carry out the attack on the former premier. He did not try to flee after Abe collapsed on the ground and was taken to police custody. An investigation was launched later.
The weapon was seized. According to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK, Yamagami told investigators that he was not happy with Abe and shot at him with the intention to kill.
