Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shot

Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, has been shot, a government spokesperson confirmed on Friday as local media claimed the former leader was not breathing.

“Former prime minister Abe was shot at around 11:30 am,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.

“One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown.”

“Whatever the reason, such a barbaric act can never be tolerated, and we strongly condemn it,” Matsuno added. 

Read: UK PM Boris Johnson Set To Resign Today

Local media reported that the former premier appeared to be in “cardiorespiratory arrest”.

The apparent sound of gunfire was heard while Abe was giving a stump speech at a gathering prior to Sunday’s upper house elections, according to NHK and Kyodo.

“He was giving a speech and a man came from behind,” a witness told NHK.

“The first shot sounded like a toy. He didn’t fall and there was a large bang. The second shot was more visible, you could see the spark and smoke,” they added.

Read Also: UK’s Boris Johnson Fighting To Stay in Office as Top Ministers Quit

“After the second shot, people surrounded him and gave him cardiac massage.” 

The 67-year-old politician collapsed and was bleeding from the neck, a member of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party told the Jiji news agency.

According to a number of media outlets, he looked to have been shot from behind.

According to Jiji, the administration announced the formation of a task force in the wake of the tragedy, and responses have already started to flood in.

Read Also: Two Russian Strategic Bombers Intercepted by Belgian Jets – Dutch Ministry

“We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former prime minister Abe Shinzo,” US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.

“The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and people of Japan.”

Abe, the longest-serving prime minister in Japan, was in office from 2012 to 2020 before being forced to resign due to ulcerative colitis, a crippling digestive illness.

He is a staunch conservative who advocated for the recognition of Japan’s military in the country’s constitution and has continued to be a significant political player even after resigning.