TOKYO/NEW DELHI: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe succumbed to his injuries on Friday after he was shot early in the morning.
The ex-Prime Minister was in Japan’s Nara city for a campaign speech. He was shot in the neck and the chest.
The suspect had been a member of the maritime self-defence force for a period of three years. Japan’s current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that the suspect’s motive was unclear.
A 41-year-old suspect has been arrested. The suspect has been identified as Yamagami Tetsuya. Later, he confessed that his attempt was to assassinate the former PM as he was frustrated by Abe’s actions.
As a mark of respect for Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Modi took to Twitter to announce a day of national mourning on July 9, 2022.
As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, a one day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his concern for the former Japanese PM. “Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan,” he said.
Mr. Abe made an immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Today, whole India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this difficult moment.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh also expressed shock at the demise of Abe. “I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn about the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” Singh said.
“He was a good friend of mine. During my tenure as Prime Minister, we worked to raise both our countries’ ties to a level of a global and strategic partnership,” he added.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to express his feelings. “The news of the attack on former PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe, is extremely shocking & unfortunate. My thoughts are with his family & supporters.”
Japan has a near “zero tolerance” of gun ownership and an extremely low rate of gun crime. The weapon used in the attack was homemade, reports say.
Saddened to know about the demise of former PM of Japan Shinzo Abe. The world has lost a great leader. May the departed soul rest in peace. My prayers are with his family and friends.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 8, 2022
“Deeply shocked by the news about former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Join so many of his friends and admirers in India in praying for him and his family,” tweets External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar.
A sad day for Japan, for India,the world and for me personally.
A quarter century of memories of Shinzo Abe. No words to express them. pic.twitter.com/WYndqFDx0D
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 8, 2022
In a statement, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said, “I am shocked at the assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan.”
Talking about Abe’s relationship with the country, Gandhi said, “For many years, Abe was a great friend and well-wisher of India. He did much to expand and deepen the bilateral relationship between our two countries.”
Recalling her meeting with Abe, Gandhi said, “I recall my meeting with him very fondly and vividly. It is a huge misfortune that has befallen Japan and indeed, the entire international community. He will be sorely missed.”
India shares a strong alliance with Japan and these ties were strengthened even more during Abe’s tenure as the Japanese Prime Minister. He was the Chairman of the Japan-India Association.