Japan’s former leader Shinzo Abe is dead. The country’s longest-serving prime minister was shot in the back while campaigning for an upcoming election in the city of Nara.
Abe was rushed to hospital in a helicopter shortly after the attack on Friday morning. Doctors say he had no vital signs when he arrived. They declared Abe dead just after 5 p.m.
Police have arrested the 41-year-old attacker, who was holding what appeared to be a homemade weapon. Local media report that the suspect had served three years in Japan’s military. Witnesses say he fired two shots and wounded Abe in the neck and chest.
Japanese public broadcaster NHK says the attacker told police he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him. His precise motivations are still unclear.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen condemned the assault earlier on Friday. She says she was shocked to hear the news.
In the years after Abe left office in 2020, the former prime minister expressed his support for Taiwan on several occasions. Reports suggest Abe was also instrumental in convincing Japan to donate COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan last year, at a time when Taiwan was experiencing a shortage.