Nara: Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe has been confirmed dead after he was shot at a campaign event on Friday, public broadcaster NHK and Jiji news agency reported.
“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.
A man opened fire on Abe, 67, from behind with an apparently homemade gun as he spoke at a drab traffic island in the western city of Nara.
Immediately after the attack, Abe was rushed to a hospital. The police have arrested the man suspected of attacking Abe. Police identified the suspected shooter as Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of Nara.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep distress at the attack on former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
