Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been assassinated; current and former world leaders react
67-year-old Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former and longest-serving Prime Minister, was assassinated on Friday while giving a speech at a campaign event for the Liberal Democratic Party in Nara, a city near Kyoto.
The shooting has stunned Japan and the rest of the world as gun ownership and violence are extremely rare. According to a report from Japan’s National Police Agency, just 10 shootings were reported in 2021 that contributed to death, injury, or property damage; most of these shootings were gang-related.
The shooter, 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, is in custody and admitted to shooting Abe. Yamagami reportedly used a homemade gun in the attack.
During Abe’s time as Prime Minister, he focused on reviving Japan and boosting the country’s global standing. Abe resigned as Prime Minister in 2020 due to health conditions but remained a powerful and influential figure for the country.
This is how current and former world leaders are reacting…
I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and killed. He was a champion of the friendship between our people.
— President Biden (@POTUS) July 8, 2022
The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief.
Doug and I send our deepest condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo and the Japanese people. He was a close friend of the United States and on this tragic day, we stand with our Japanese friends in honoring him and condemning this horrific act of violence.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 8, 2022
Prime Minister Abe was a champion of democracy and a firm believer that no economy, society, or country can achieve its full potential if women are left behind. I am shocked and devastated by his assassination—a loss for Japan and our world.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 8, 2022
I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of my friend and longtime partner Shinzo Abe in Japan. Former Prime Minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 8, 2022
安倍晋三元総理が逝去されました。どうか一命を取り留めて頂きたいと祈っていましたが、祈りも虚しく訃報に接する事になり、誠に残念で言葉もありません。心よりご冥福をお祈りします。
— 岸田文雄 (@kishida230) July 8, 2022
民主主義の根幹たる選挙が行われている中の卑劣な犯行は断じて許せるものではなく、最も強い言葉で非難します。
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
It is with deep regret that I have learned of the passing of @AbeShinzo
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) July 8, 2022
I will never understand the brutal killing of this great man.
Japan, Europeans mourn with you.
My sincerest condolences to his wife and family. https://t.co/AH9JA5s4U0
Shocked and saddened by the tragic death of former Japanese PM Abe Shinzo. He was a great friend and ally to Australia. Deepest sympathies to his family and the people of Japan. We mourn with you. pic.twitter.com/ms9Va9OPN4
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022
Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022
His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.
The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.
Deeply saddened by the heinous killing of Shinzo Abe, a defender of democracy and my friend & colleague over many years. My deepest condolences to his family, PM @kishida230 & the people
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 8, 2022
of #NATO’s partner #Japan at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/8rtdb0G11S
安倍晋三元首相のご逝去の報に接し、言葉にならないほどのショックを受けています。台湾国民も深い悲しみの中にいます。
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) July 8, 2022
安倍先生とはまた台湾でお目にかかれると信じていました。しかし、許し難い暴挙によって尊い命が奪われてしまいました。
We're deeply shocked & saddened by the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Such an illegal & violent act is utterly unacceptable & roundly condemned. The people & government of Taiwan extend their best wishes to the ex-PM, & stand with Japan at this difficult time.
— 外交部 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MOFA_Taiwan) July 8, 2022
Truly heartbreaking to hear of the death of my friend Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan — killed in the most appalling of circumstances while campaigning for his political party.
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) July 8, 2022
Horrible news of a brutal assassination of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. I am extending my deepest condolences to his family and the people of Japan at this difficult time. This heinous act of violence has no excuse.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 8, 2022
Such shocking and sad news that former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe has died following an attack.
— Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) July 8, 2022
Our thoughts are with all Japanese people at this very sad time.
He was a significant and popular global political figure. Rest in Peace 🇯🇵🇮🇪 @dfatirl pic.twitter.com/8rJR1Co4gc
I send my condolences to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's family and the Japanese people.
— President Yoon Suk Yeol (@President_KR) July 8, 2022
An act of terrorism during an election is a brutal attack against the very foundation of democracy. It is utterly unacceptable, and I strongly condemn such an attack.
I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with the people of Japan.
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) July 8, 2022
The State of Israel mourns the death of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe following today’s horrific attack.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) July 8, 2022
He was a fierce & distinguished leader and a key architect of modern Israel-Japan relations.
Sending condolences to his family, loved ones and the Japanese people.
Received with a heavy heart the news that Mr Abe has succumbed to his injuries and passed on. This is a deeply shocking and distressing incident. I offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Abe Akie, Mr Abe’s loved ones, and the people of Japan. – LHL https://t.co/HbIariGhFS
— leehsienloong (@leehsienloong) July 8, 2022
Deeply shocked and saddened by the horrendous attack against @AbeShinzo. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and the Government and people of Japan. Sweden stands in sympathy and solidarity with Japan, our close friend and partner, at this difficult time.
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) July 8, 2022
The assassination of @AbeShinzo leaves me shocked and deeply saddened. My deepest sympathy goes to his family, my colleague Fumio @kishida230 and our Japanese friends. We stand closely by Japan's side in these difficult hours.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 8, 2022
I am shocked to hear of the cowardly attack on Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He is a close friend of Sri Lanka and I wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and people of Japan.
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) July 8, 2022
(1/3) It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of former PM ABE Shinzo. We express our deepest condolences to the Japanese government and people on his tragic death. We send our most heartfelt sympathy to Mme Akie Abe and their family.
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) July 8, 2022
Au nom du peuple français, j’adresse mes condoléances aux autorités et au peuple japonais après l’assassinat de Shinzo Abe. Le Japon perd un grand Premier ministre, qui dédia sa vie à son pays et œuvra à l’équilibre du monde.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 8, 2022
❝On behalf of the French people, I extend my condolences to the Japanese people and authorities following the assassination of #ShinzoAbe. Japan has lost a great prime minister who dedicated his life to his country and worked for the stability of the world.❞ https://t.co/zvaXQsMLq5
— France Diplomacy🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@francediplo_EN) July 8, 2022
Das tödliche Attentat auf @AbeShinzo macht mich fassungslos und tieftraurig. Mein tiefes Mitgefühl gilt seiner Familie, meinem Kollegen Fumio @kishida230 und unseren japanischen Freundinnen und Freunden. Wir stehen auch in diesen schweren Stunden eng an der Seite Japans.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 8, 2022
