Shots were fired at former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign rally in Nara on Friday. Taken to hospital in critical condition, he is now deceased.
Tributes from world leaders
‘Horror’, ‘shocking’: From Asia to the West, world leaders reacted with shock and outrage to Friday’s shooting attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who died of wounds .
United States
“It’s a very, very sad moment,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at a G20 meeting in Bali, saying the United States was “deeply sad and deeply concerned”. Earlier, US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel paid tribute to Mr Abe, “an outstanding leader of Japan and a staunch ally of the United States”, according to a statement.
Chine
“We are monitoring the development of the situation and hope that (he) is put out of danger and that he recovers as soon as possible,” said Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before the announcement. announcement of death. He said how “shocked” China was and sent his “sympathy” to the family.
Russia
Russia has denounced “a monstrous crime” and an “act of terrorism which has and cannot have any justification”, according to a press release from the Russian Foreign Ministry.
I’ll take it
The Secretary General of NATO, of which Japan is not a member but a partner, said he was “deeply shocked”. “NATO stands with the people of our close partner, Japan,” tweeted Jens Stoltenberg.
Britain
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his “dismay” on Twitter following the “abject attack”.
Europe
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also spoke on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and the people of Japan. »
European Council President Charles Michel denounced a “cowardly” attack on a “true friend, fierce defender of the multilateral order and democratic values”.
The Italian government has expressed its strong condemnation, stressing that Italy stands “close to the Japanese people at this dramatic moment”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “deeply shocked”, condemning a “heinous attack” and hailing “a great Prime Minister”.
“It is with horror that I learned the news (…)”, reacted the ex-chancellor Angela Merkel, evoking a “close and trustful collaboration”, and her “pleasure to work with him”, to in unison with the current head of diplomacy Annalena Baerbock, “shocked”.
Australia
“Shocking news from Japan,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted. “Our thoughts are with his family and the Japanese people at this time.”
Inde
“Deeply shocked by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the Japanese people.”
Iran
“The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this terrorist act,” responded Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, adding to follow the news “closely and with concern”.
Singapore
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described Mr Abe as “a good friend of Singapore” and said he was “deeply shocked”. “This is a senseless act of violence,” he added on Facebook.
Thailand
“Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha is very shocked by what happened to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told reporters in Bangkok.
He recalled that Messrs. Prayut and Abe were “friends” and had formed “a relatively close relationship” following meeting “several times”.
Malaysia
Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said he was “saddened and shocked” and had hoped Mr Abe would manage to survive the attack.
Burma
“Myanmar is extremely shocked and surprised by the news. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is an old and good friend,” Burmese junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said.
