Kochi: Former Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe was assassinated during an election campaign for the upper house in the Southern city of Nara.
The 67-year-old Abe, who was shot twice, collapsed and bled profusely. He was taken to the nearest hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, media reports said.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called a press conference to condemn the attack.
Abe was conscious and responding to the treatment and was given blood transfusion, reports said. However, he breathed his last in the hospital.
The attack took place when Abe was seeking votes for a candidate. The assailant was identified as Tetsuya Yamagami who is a former member of Japan’s Maritime Self Defence Force.
He was the longest serving prime minister. He was Prime Minister for one year in 2006 and from 2012 to 2020 when he left due to health problems. He was suffering from ulcerative colitis.
Former Premier Abe shot dead
