United states

World leaders have reacted to the shocking attack on Shinzo Abe

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The shocking assassination Friday of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in one of the world’s safest countries stunned leaders and drew condemnation, with Iran calling it a “terrorist act” while Spain criticized the “cowardly attack’.

Abe, 67, was shot in the back in Nara in western Japan while giving a campaign speech. He was airlifted to hospital but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital. Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who hastily returned to Tokyo from campaign events in the country, called the shooting “vile and barbaric.”

Leaders from Turkey to Singapore condemned the attack, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the shooting “disgusting”.

“His global leadership through uncharted times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK is with you at this dark and sad time,” Johnson tweeted.

Iran condemned the shooting as a “terrorist act”.

“As a country that has been a victim of terrorism and lost great leaders to terrorists, we are following the news carefully and with concern,” the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said.

People in Japan could be seen reading extra editions of Friday’s newspaper with a large picture of Abe on the front page or pausing to watch the news on television.

Public broadcaster NHK aired dramatic footage of Abe giving a speech outside a train station in the western city of Nara. He stands, dressed in a dark blue suit, fist raised, when two gunshots ring out. The footage then shows Abe collapsed in the street.

“We are shocked and saddened to hear of the violent attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” the White House said in a statement shortly afterward.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier expressed her shock at the shooting. She said Abe was one of the first leaders she met after taking office and described him as deeply committed to his role, generous and kind.

“I remember him asking after the recent loss of our pet when I met him, a small gesture but one that spoke volumes for the kind of person he was,” Ardern said. “Events like this shake us all to our core.”

In the NHK video, security guards are seen jumping on a man in a gray shirt who is lying face down on the pavement. A double-barreled device is seen on the ground, looking like a hand-made weapon.

Police arrested a suspected shooter at the scene. Under Japanese law, the possession of firearms, as well as certain types of knives and other weapons such as bowguns, is illegal without a special license. Importing them is also illegal.

French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that he was “deeply shocked by the hateful attack” against Abe. He paid tribute to Abe as a “great prime minister” and said “France stands by the Japanese people”.

Many offered their condolences and expressed solidarity with Japan, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Saturday a day of national mourning in the deepest respect for Abe.

“Mr. Abe has made a huge contribution in elevating India-Japan relations to the level of a special strategic and global partnership. Today, the whole of India mourns with Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters at this difficult time,” Modi said. .

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sent his best wishes to Abe’s family. “Spain stands with the people of Japan in these difficult times,” he tweeted.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Abe was one of Australia’s closest friends and a “giant on the world stage”, adding that “his legacy has a global impact and is profound and positive for Australia. He will be greatly missed.”

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi expressed his deepest condolences and said Italy embraces the Abe family, the government and the Japanese people.

“Italy is disturbed by the terrible attack on Japan and its free, democratic debate. Abe has been a great hero of Japanese and international political life in recent decades, thanks to his innovative spirit and reformist vision,” Draghi said in a statement.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, who is in Bali as president of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia, lamented Abe’s “untimely death” and said he would “always be remembered as an excellent an example for all”.

In China, however, the shooting of Abe drew unfavorable comments from tens of thousands of nationalist citizens on social media.

Some joked, “I hope it’s not good,” while dozens half-jokingly called the gunman a “hero” or an “anti-Japanese hero.” Others said Abe’s injuries were a consolation for the souls of those who died in Japan’s invasion of China during World War II.

While not necessarily the opinion of most Chinese, the posts reflect strong public sentiment – fueled by government propaganda – against right-wing Japanese politicians who question or deny that the military has committed atrocities in China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijien declined to comment. He said China expressed its condolences to Abe’s family and that the shooting should not be linked to bilateral relations.