Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe assassinated

Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe died Friday after being shot while he was giving a stump speech in the city of Nara. He was 67 years old.

He died in hospital after he was shot at a political campaign event, report BBC and Japan Times.

Abe was shot at twice while he was giving a speech in the southern city of Nara on Friday morning.

He was unconscious when he was rushed to a hospital and was bleeding from the chest.

The police have arrested a 41-year-old man suspected of attacking Abe, who was giving a speech in front of Yamato Saidaiji Station when the incident took place at around 11:30 a.m. Campaigning had been underway for Sunday’s Upper House election.Videos of the incident showed two shots being fired. Japan is known for having one of the strictest gun control laws in the world.

Abe suffered an injury to the right side of his neck due to a gunshot and was bleeding internally in the left side of his chest, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

The former prime minister was transported via a medical helicopter to Nara Medical University Hospital in the city of Kashihara, south of central Nara, according to NHK, who quoted ambulance officials.

The man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and the gun was confiscated, according to the broadcaster. Police identified the man as Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of the city of Nara.

In an emotional press conference earlier, prime minister Fumio Kishida condemned the attack, saying: “It is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated.”

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency confirmed that Abe had a bullet wound on the right of his neck, and also suffered subcutaneous bleeding under the left part of his chest.

It is unclear if both shots hit him, or if a bullet hit him on the neck and travelled elsewhere.

National broadcaster NHK said Abe was “conscious and responsive” while he was transported to the hospital, citing police sources.