Japan’s Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Dies After Attack by Gunman

Japan’s Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Dies After Attack by Gunman

Shinzo Abe former prime minister was shot during a campaign speech in the western city of Nara in one of the most significant acts of political violence to rock the country in the postwar era. He later died at a nearby hospital.

The current Japanese prime minister has condemned the shooting of Abe, calling it an act of brutality.

Fumio Kishida said about Abe -- Japan's longest-serving prime minister --"I have great respect for the legacy Shinzo Abe left behind and I pay the deepest condolences to him," Kishida said.

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The New York Times reports, "Gun violence is rare in Japan, where just 10 shootings that contributed to death, injury or property damage were reported in 2021, according to statistics from the National Police Agency. In those incidents, one person was killed and four others were injured. The figures do not include accidents or suicides."