The political leader was giving a campaign speech in Nara, Japan on Friday when he was shot twice
On July 8, the world watched anxiously as Japan reported that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had been shot twice by a gunman in Nara shortly after he took the stage to deliver a rally speech. Within hours, it was announced that Mr Abe had succumbed to his injuries and he was pronounced dead at 5.03 pm at Nara Medical University Hospital.
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Mr Abe, who is a well-regarded statesman with enormous political clout, was campaigning for a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidate ahead of an Upper House election when he was shot by Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene.
The former prime minister was in cardiac arrest when emergency responders arrived at the scene and was quickly ferried to Nara Medical University Hospital. Unfortunately, he was already showing no vital signs upon arrival, according to medical officials at a press conference.
Doctors immediately began working on him and Mr Abe had over 100 units of blood transfusions during open-heart surgery. While no bullets were found in his body, one wound was deep enough to reach his heart which caused bleeding. Eventually, this led to him haemorrhaging from the damage.
Over 20 doctors and nurses were involved in his operation which lasted a gruelling four and a half hours as Japan and the world waited anxiously for news.
His wife, Akie, managed to arrive at the hospital to be by his side just minutes before he passed away.
Tributes have since poured in from world leaders mourning the loss of the Japanese politician. In a tweet, US President Joe Biden shared that he was “stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened,” before adding that Abe ”was a champion of the friendship between our people.”
In Britain, Queen Elizabeth released an official statement saying, “My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time.”
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Back home, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shared a statement on his Facebook: “This is a deeply shocking and distressing incident. I offer my sincere condolences to Mrs Abe Akie, Mr Abe’s loved ones, and the people of Japan.”
He also highlighted Singapore’s good relations with the former Japan leader.
“Mr Abe is a good friend of Singapore. I had just hosted him to lunch in May, on my visit to Tokyo. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Abe and his family.”
Abe is survived by his wife, Akie; his mother, Yoko Abe; and his brothers Hironobu Abe and Nobuo Kishi, who serves as Japan’s defence minister.