Shinzo Abe: Dominic Perrottet, Daniel Andrews pay tribute to slain ex-Japanese Prime Minister
Australian political leaders have revealed how they will pay tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated in his homeland on Friday.
The Sydney Opera House will be draped in red and white on Sunday night, as Australian leaders pay tribute to former Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe.
Mr Abe, who was Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister, was assassinated in Nara as he delivered a campaign speech on Friday by a lone gunman.
Mr Abe, 67, showed no vital signs when he arrived at the hospital and was unable to be revived despite receiving massive blood transfusions, Japanese officials said.
A 41-year-old former member of the Japanese navy Tetsuya Yamagami, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.
“Tomorrow night, the sails of the @SydOperaHouse will shine brightly in red and white, in honour of the life of Shinzo Abe,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Twitter on Saturday.
On Friday night Mr Perrottet wrote on Twitter he was “shocked and saddened at the death” of Mr Abe, who he described as “a true statesman, a champion of democracy, and a great friend to our nation and to NSW.”
Yesterday, Japan tragically lost one of its finest leaders.
— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) July 9, 2022
Tomorrow night, the sails of the @SydOperaHouse will shine brightly in red and white, in honour of the life of Shinzo Abe.
NSW stands together with our friends in Japan.
On Saturday morning Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne’s landmarks would be lit up in the Japanese colours in honour of Mr Abe.
“The death of Shinzo Abe is an unspeakable tragedy,” Mr Andrews said on Twitter on Friday night.
“He served his country with great honour and transformed the geopolitics of our region,” the Victorian Premier said.
“He was a wonderful friend of Australia and my thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his family and the Japanese people,” he said.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Mr Abe.
“On behalf of the Western Australian Government, I extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his family,” Mr McGowan said.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Japan during this very difficult time,” the WA Premier said.
Australia’s Prime Minister, and many other world leaders expressed their sympathies as well.
Queen Elizabeth said she and the royal family were “deeply saddened” by what had happened.
“I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time,” she said.
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