World leaders condemn attack on Shinzo Abe, former Japanese prime minister

Shinzo Abe would have been shot twice 1:52

(CNN) --

Following news of an armed attack on Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a public rally in the city of Nara on Friday, several world leaders have rejected the attack on Abe.

Japan is "trying to understand this difficult situation," Japan's leader said.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the country was "trying to understand this difficult situation."

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Kishida said authorities would "take appropriate measures to handle the situation."

Kishida addressed the nation live from Tokyo as Japan comes to terms with a rare act of political violence.

"This is not a forgivable act," Kishida said.

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File photo.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listens to other G7 leaders speak at the "Global Infrastructure" side event during the G7 summit at Schloss Elmau on June 26, 2022 near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, (Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images )

Australia

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote in a Twitter post:

"Shocking news from Japan that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time."

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 Ministers Scott Morrison and Kevin Rudd, whose terms coincided with Abe's, also posted their own separate messages.

"Prime Minister Abe is a great and wise friend of Australia and one of the most important world leaders of the post-war era. Our prayers are with him, his wife Akie and the people of Japan at this most difficult time," he wrote. Morrison.

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tweeted:

Horrified by this terrible news from Japan.

Abe Shinzo is one of the great leaders of our time.

Right now we must hope and pray that he pulls through.”

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 that he pulls through.

https://t.co/KKx1eLO4nt

— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) July 8, 2022

USA

Speaking ahead of a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Bali, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was "deeply saddened". .

"I have to say before we meet how deeply saddened and concerned we are by the news coming out of Japan about the attempt on Prime Minister Abe's life," Blinken said.

“We do not know his condition... Our thoughts, our prayers, are with his family, with the people of Japan.

This is a very, very sad time and we are waiting for news.”

US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel tweeted:

"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 a staunch ally of the United States. The US government and the American people are praying for him." well-being of Abe-san, his family, and the people of Japan.”

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 US The US Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family of him, & people of Japan.

— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) July 8, 2022

Former US President Donald Trump shared his best wishes for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his social media platform Truth Social, calling the shooting "absolutely devastating news."

Abe "was a true friend to me and, much more importantly, to the United States," Trump wrote.

"This is a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan, who loved and admired him so much. We are all praying for Shinzo and his beautiful family!"

Indonesia

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi added that the G20 representatives also conveyed their "condolences and our prayers" for Abe.

India

India's PM says he is 'deeply distressed' over 'attack' on Abe

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined a chorus of world leaders on Friday to share their well wishes after former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe was shot.

"Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo," Modi wrote on Twitter.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the people of Japan."

Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo.

Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family of him, and the people of Japan.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022

United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter:

"Completely shocked and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones."

Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe.

My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022

Taiwan

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also rejected the attack, saying Abe is a good friend.

Mexico

We deeply regret the attack on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a friend of Mexico and a highly respected figure of Japan in the world. We hope that he can overcome the serious medical situation in which he finds himself. Our solidarity with his family, friends and the people Japanese

– Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) July 8, 2022

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard wrote on Twitter that he deeply regrets the shooting.

“We hope that he can overcome the serious medical situation that he finds himself in,” he wrote.

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