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The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzō Abe shocked not only Japan, but the entire international community on Friday. According to media reports, Abe suffered an attack during an election rally in Nara.
After the event, it was learned that a man identified as Yamagami Tetsuya was arrested. The suspect is a 41-year-old unemployed man and a former member of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (Japanese Army). According to information gathered by EFE, “he was dissatisfied with the former president and therefore went to kill him, police sources told local media.”
“According to Japanese Defense Ministry sources, the alleged assailant worked in the naval branch of the Self-Defense Forces, in charge of defending the archipelago, for three years until 2005,” the news agency reported.
The Daily Mail also explained that “Witnesses said Abe was about to start speaking when Yamagami approached him from behind and fired two shots, the second of which felled him. Several members of Abe’s security detail tackled Yamagami while others gave the politician chest compressions, before he was taken to hospital via helicopter.”
Reactions to Shinzō Abe’s assassination
The assassination of Shinzō Abe generated the reaction of different political leaders around the world. From Boris Johnson to the U.S. government have condemned the attack. “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and the Japanese people” wrote the UK Prime Minister on Twitter.
Similar was the message from the U.S. ambassador to Japan, who described Abe as a great ally of the Americans. “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 U.S. The U.S. Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, & people of Japan.”
Williams Perdomo es periodista y escritor, especializado en las fuentes Política y Cultura.