Japan
is in shock over the assassination
of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of Japan's most influential post-war leaders, killed at the age of 67 by two shots fired from a handcrafted wooden and metal gun during an election rally.
Japan, the moment of the shot at Shinzo Abe
A brutal murder that has caused dismay in the world, with expressions of solidarity and disbelief expressed by all global leaders.
The longest serving prime minister in Japan's history
was shot by a man
41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, who approached him from behind around 11.30am local time (4.30am in Italy) brandishing a carefully disguised homemade pistol while Abe was speaking in front of a station in Nara, a city in central Japan. Western, in support of the Liberal Democratic candidates for Sunday's elections of the Upper House.
For those familiar with Japanese habits, electoral rallies are the furthest away from danger scenarios: self-disciplined, orderly and with the police reduced to a flicker.
The images broadcast non-stop by the NHK state network and private channels first show Yamagami carefully following the movements of the former prime minister, then approaching undisturbed and exploding the two lethal shots.
Dramatic and violent moments that pushed Facebook,
ANSA.it
From Kennedy to Abe, the attacks on politicians - Primopiano
A long trail of blood before the assassination of Abe (ANSA)
Abe's condition immediately appeared critical to the first responders: after an insistent heart massage, emergency transport to the hospital was authorized.
The killer, on the other hand, was tackled by the escort officers when it was too late, arrested and taken away.
"It was not a gesture against the political beliefs of the former prime minister," the police said, referring the words of the attacker.
The search of his home in Nara led to the discovery of other homemade guns as well as explosives, which triggered the evacuation of the entire block.
Abe's death at Nara Medical University Hospital - where his wife Akie rushed - was made official at 17.03 (10.03 in Italy): one of the two bullets had reached the heart.
"Abe arrived at the hospital with no signs of life, in cardiorespiratory arrest and with two wounds. It was not possible to stop the bleeding," explained Hidetada Fukushima, the surgeon who followed the rescue.
"We tried to revive him for hours, but his heartbeat didn't restart."
Former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe killed in an attack
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, returned to his office in Tokyo, condemned the aggression "in the strongest possible way. The barbaric act that took the life of former Prime Minister Abe took place during an election that is the foundation of the democracy. His death leaves me speechless, "he added in tears.
An emergency government meeting decided to strengthen security measures for ministers and politicians, and to confirm the election.
The police reported that Yamagami, impassive during interrogation, arrived at the scene of the attack by train carrying a cloth bag, confessing to the murder and motivating him for the grudge against a "specific organization", convinced it was connected to Abe.
L'
man had resigned in May for unspecified health reasons.
"I am amazed, indignant and deeply saddened by the news - said US President Joe Biden -. Gun violence always leaves a deep scar".
The head of the Kremlin Vladimir Putin spoke of "irreparable loss", while for China the condolences were expressed by the Foreign Ministry.
As Prime Minister Abe had spent many of his efforts to cement the security alliance with the United States and at the same time strengthen his country on a military level, pushing for a less pacifist constitution more geared to new threats, starting with growing assertiveness of Beijing.
Abe, the condolences of European leaders on social media