Abe was rushed to the hospital after he collapsed during a speech in Nara on July 8, 2022. - Reuters
TOKYO (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday (July 8) said former leader Shinzo Abe was in critical condition in hospital after he was shot while giving a speech during a rally in Nara prefecture.
Abe was understood to be in a "serious condition" and doctors were trying to save his life, he added.
"I am praying from my heart that Abe survives this ordeal," Kishida said, struggling to hold back tears.
The prime minister condemned the "barbaric" attack, which he said was "unforgiveable" and would not be tolerated.
He said he would not speculate about the gunman's motives and if it signalled a trend of societal unhappiness.
Japan votes in an Upper House election on Sunday (July 10), where 545 candidates are vying for 125 seats.
Kishida said nothing had been decided yet about whether the election would go ahead.
Earlier, Kyodo news agency and NHK reported that Abe appeared to be in a state of "cardiorespiratory arrest" when taken to hospital, after having initially been conscious and responsive, according to Reuters.
The term is often used in Japan before a feared death can be officially confirmed by a coroner.
Both ruling party and opposition politicians were united in condemning the attack as one that is barbaric and an act of terror.
Kenta Izumi, who leads main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), said that it was an unforgiveable act of barbarism, adding that it was a deplorable act in a democratic country.
Reiwa Shinsengumi chief Taro Yamamoto said: "I really hope he survives the attack. While our political positions may be polar opposites, ex-PM Abe has been working very hard to create the Japanese society that he envisions."
Earlier in the day, his government had confirmed that Abe was shot and that his condition is unknown.
“Former prime minister Abe was shot at around 11.30am in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters on Friday.
Media reports have said that Abe collapsed in the middle of a rally speech in front of the Yamato-Saidaiji Station of the Kintetsu Line in Nara.
He had begun speaking at 11.29am (10.29am Singapore time) and was shot just one minute later, at around 11.30am outside the station. Mr Abe was speaking on behalf of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidate Kei Sato, 43, a current member of the Upper House running for re-election in Nara.
NHK showed video ofAbe making the speech when two shots rang out, after which the view was briefly obscured and then security officials were seen tackling a man on the ground. A puff of smoke behind Abe could be seen in a separate video shown in NHK, according to Reuters.
TBS Television reported that Abe was shot on the left side of his chest and apparently also in the neck.
The crowds screamed and cries of "ambulance, ambulance", "AED" (automated external defibrillator) and for medical staff were heard, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.
It was reported that Abe was bleeding as he collapsed. He was shot twice from behind with what appeared to be an improvised double-barrelled shotgun, the media cited police as saying.
Abe was taken by an ambulance to a medical evacuation helicopter and then transported to Nara Medical University Hospital, the Nara Fire Department said.
Local media said his heartbeat has stopped.
A man has been arrested, Kyodo cited police as saying. He has been identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a Nara resident.
Fuji TV reported that the suspect is a former member of the maritime self-defence force, while NHK said that he had served in the force for about three years until 2005.
A gun has been recovered at the scene and the suspect was arrested for murder attempt, NHK reported.
Japan is a country with some of the strictest gun laws among leading economies and shootings are rare.
Japan votes in an Upper House election on Sunday (July 10), where 545 candidates are vying for 125 seats.
The ruling LDP bigwigs have been fanning out across the country to campaign for the party candidates.
Abe, 67, was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, with two stints in office from 2006 to 2007 and 2012 to 2020.
Abe’s first term was plagued by scandals and discord, and stepped down citing ill health. He later acknowledged that he was suffering an ailment which was diagnosed as ulcerative colitis.
But the former prime minister has remained a dominant presence over the LDP. He leads the party's largest faction and there is talk that he was contemplating a comeback if there is a chance.
Abe’s record-setting run as prime minister before he resigned in 2020 brought stability to Japan after a revolving door of six administrations, including a previous stint by him.
He helped Japan escape from a cycle of deflation, endured a Trump administration that questioned the nation’s only military alliance, and worked to improve ties with its biggest trading partner China, which were at their most hostile in decades when he took office.
Abe is, perhaps, best known for his plans to revive Japan’s flagging economy through unprecedented monetary easing and regulatory reform that was eventually labelled “Abenomics”.
He was seen as a steady hand who consolidated power during his record second run, and was able to overcome scandals. This included one that came to light in 2017 over questionable government land allocations for schools provided to associates of Abe and his wife Akie.
Abe played a major role in winning the 2020 Olympics for Tokyo, which was later postponed by a year to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The United States said it is “saddened and shocked” by the incident.
“Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States,” US ambassador Rahm Emanuel said in a statement. “The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and the people of Japan.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is deeply saddened and concerned "about the attempt on the life of prime minister Abe", adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, with the people of Japan".
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted on Twitter: “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.”
Indonesia’s foreign ministry spokesman, on behalf of Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, said in a statement: “The minister has expressed her sympathies in the name of G-20 foreign ministers to the Japanese foreign minister.”
Meanwhile, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said in a Facebook post: "I believe everyone is as surprised and sad as I am. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with rule of law. On behalf of my government, I would like to severely condemn violent and illegal acts.
“Former prime minister Abe is not only a good friend of mine, but also a staunch friend of Taiwan’s. He has supported Taiwan for many years and spared no effort to promote the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations.”
Thailand also expressed its concern over the shooting. Tanee Sangrat, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: "It is shocking that such an incident has happened in a peaceful country like Japan, (with which) Thailand has a very special relationship."
