The assassination of Shinzo Abe sends shock waves across all continents
The former prime minister of Japan was killed on Friday as that he was giving a speech at a political rally.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was giving a speech in Nara before being shot from behind by a man with a homemade weapon.
The assassination of the& #x27;Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in one of the world's safest countries on Friday stunned world leaders and drew condemnation from all quarters, with Canada denouncing “a senseless act of violence” that has cost the life of “a great visionary”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was deeply saddened by the deeply disturbing assassination.
The world has lost a great visionary, and Canada a close friend, said Mr. Trudeau. My heart goes out to his wife Akie and the Japanese who mourn his passing. We will miss you, my friend.
At a press conference on Friday, Justin Trudeau recalled that the event occurred when [M. Shinzo] was busy doing what he loved, serving his community, serving his country. In his speech, the Canadian Prime Minister also reaffirmed the importance of respecting the diversity of opinions in a democracy.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G7 summit in Charlevoix in 2018.
According to local police, suspect Tetsuya Yamagami said he harbored a grudge against a certain organization and he confessed to committing the crime because he believed former Prime Minister Abe was connected to him.
Mr Abe, 67, was shot from behind while giving a political speech. He was airlifted to hospital, but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was later pronounced dead in hospital. Mr. Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020 for health reasons.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who hastily returned to Tokyo while attending campaign events across the country called the shooting despicable and barbaric.
Visibly very moved at a press conference following the accident, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mr. Abe's government from 2012 to 2017 .
US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken, speaking to Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers at a trilateral meeting in Bali, said Mr Abe's assassination was deeply disturbing and a personal loss for so many.
For the United States, Prime Minister Abe was an amazing partner and someone who was clearly a great leader for Japan and the people of Japan, Mr. Blinken said.
Leaders from around the world, from Turkey to Singapore, have condemned the attack. Resigning British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the shooting despicable.
A person meditates at the site where former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot, near Yamato-Saidaiji station in Nara, western Japan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted his deepest condolences to his family and the people of Japan at this difficult time.
There is no excuse for this heinous act of violence, he added.
The office of South Korean President Yoon Suk- yeol quoted him as saying that the shooting that led to Mr. Abe's death is an intolerable criminal act.
Shinzo Abe lying on the ground after being shot.
Iran has condemned the shooting as an act of terrorism.
As a country that has been a victim of terrorism and has lost great leaders for the benefit of terrorists, we follow the news closely and with concern, said the spokesman of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Leaders from Germany, Pakistan, Sweden and the Philippines are among those who have offered their condolences, and many countries, including Spain and France, have expressed solidarity with Japan. .
Deeply shocked by the heinous attack on Shinzo Abe. Thoughts to the family and loved ones of a great Prime Minister. France stands with the Japanese people, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter.
“Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world.
— Emmanuel Macron, French President
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a one-day national mourning on Saturday as a sign of the deepest respect for Mr. .Abe.
Mr. Abe has made an immense contribution to elevating India-Japan relations to a special strategic and global partnership. Today, all of India mourns Japan and we stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters at this difficult time, Mr. Modi said.
The first Australian Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Abe was one of Australia's closest friends and a giant on the world stage, adding that his legacy had a global impact, and a deep and positive legacy for Australia. He will be greatly missed.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sits at the G7 table with his Canadian, British, German and American counterparts in August 2019.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose term from 2005 to 2021 largely overlapped that of Shinzo Abe, said she was deeply shocked and devastated by the news of his death from injuries sustained during a ;a cowardly and despicable assassination hours earlier.
“My first thoughts are with his wife and family. I cry with them. I wish them comfort and support.
—Angela Merkel, former Chancellor of Germany
The Taiwanese government said Mr. Abe has spared no effort to advance Taiwan-Japanese relations for many years, noting the pressure he has put on the Japanese government to donate vaccines to Taiwan amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In China, however, Mr. Abe's killing sparked hateful comments from dozens of thousands of nationalist citizens on social media.
While not necessarily the view of most Chinese, the posts reflect strong public sentiment – encouraged by government propaganda – against right-wing Japanese politicians who question or deny that the Japanese military has committed atrocities in China.
Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zhao Lijian declined to comment. He said China expresses its sympathy to Mr. Abe's family and that the shooting should not be linked to bilateral relations.
With information from The Associated Press
