A man, believed to be a suspect shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is held by police officers at Yamato Saidaiji Station in Nara, Nara Prefecture on Friday, July 8, 2022 in this photo taken by the Yomiuri Shimbun. - The Yomiuri Shimbun via Reuters
Tokyo, July 8, 2022 (AFP): Leaders and envoys from Asia and beyond reacted with shock and concern to the shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.
Here are some key comments:
- United States - "This is a very, very sad moment," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at the G20 meeting in Bali, saying the United States was "deeply saddened and deeply concerned".
"We don't know his condition," he said. "Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan."
Earlier, US ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said he was "saddened and shocked".
"Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States," he said in a statement.
- Britain - "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the terrible events in Nara," British ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom tweeted, referring to the city where Abe was shot.
"Former Prime Minister Abe is a close friend of the UK. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family at this time."
- Australia - "Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted.
"Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time."
- India - "Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan."
- Russia - "We pray for the health of the former prime minister of Japan, Mr Shinzo Abe," the Russian embassy in Japan said in a post on Facebook.
"We strongly condemn the barbaric attempt on his life."
- France - The French embassy in Japan expressed concern over the "hateful" attack, saying its thoughts were with Abe and his loved ones.
"The French Embassy has learned with emotion and dismay of the hateful attack on former prime minister Shinzo Abe in Nara," the mission said on Twitter.
- Thailand - Thailand's "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha is very shocked by what has happened to former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe," Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told reporters in Bangkok.
"Prayut and Abe are friends and they have a relatively close relationship as they met several times."
- The Philippines - Enrique Manalo, the foreign affairs secretary of the Philippines, expressed "great shock and dismay" at the attack.
"I extend my deep sympathy and pray for his early recovery," he tweeted. - AFP
