Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe shot, showing no vital signs

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is fighting for life after being shot, reportedly in the back. WARNING: GRAPHIC

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is fighting for life in hospital after being shot while delivering a speech in Nara, south of Kyoto.

Initial reports suggested the 67 year old fainted while giving his speech, but local media quoted witnesses who said they saw a man come up behind the former Prime Minister and fire two gun shots.

Abe was reportedly unconscious, showing no vital signs, when he was taken to Nara Medical University via helicopter and was seen bleeding from the chest.

In 2018, Mr Abe became the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Darwin since the two countries clashed over the city in the Bombing of Darwin in World War II.

Mr Abe joined then Australian Prime Minster Scott Morrison to lay wreaths at the Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial at Bicentennial Park.

On Friday, Former Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe Tweeted Abe was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.

The term is often used in Japan before a death is officially confirmed, reports the BBC.

“Former prime minister Abe was shot at around 11:30am in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lies on the ground after being shot. Picture: Kyodo/Reuters

An aerial photo shows a man believed to be former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe transported to medical care. Picture: AFP

Little is known of the shooter but the Japan Times reported he was 42 and a resident of Nara.

The apparent assassination attempt happened at the Yamato Saidaiji Station while Abe was giving a political stump speech.

Despite stepping down as prime minister in 2020 due to poor health, Abe had maintained a position as a leading political figure in Japan.

Gun deaths in Japan are extremely rare, according to Sydney University’s GunPolicy.org website: there were just nine gunshot fatalities in Japan in 2018.

But political assassinations in Japan are not unheard of. Two Prime Ministers were killed during the 1930s and at least four politicians have been murdered since the end of World War Two.

A man, believed to be a suspect in the shooting of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo, is tackled to the ground. Picture: AFP

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Tweeted that it was “shocking news”.

“Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time,” Mr Albanese stated.

Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot - our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Twitter he was “Horrified by this terrible news from Japan”.

“Abe Shinzo is one of the great leaders of our times. Right now we must hope and pray he pulls through.”

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a statement saying “Australians will have a sense of disbelief that this act of apparent political violence could be committed in such a free, open and robust democracy as Japan.”

“This apparent assassination attempt provides a sober reminder to all our democracies of how precious our freedoms are.

“An attack on any democratically elected political leader in the world is an attack on supporters of democracy everywhere,” Mr Rudd said.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while delivering a speech in Nara, south of Kyoto. Picture: AFP

The US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, said he was “saddened and shocked” by the shooting.

“We are all saddened and shocked by the shooting of former prime minister Abe Shinzo. Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States. The US Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and people of Japan,” Emanuel said in a statement.

Originally published as Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe shot, showing no vital signs