Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Reportedly Shot While Giving Speech

Shinzo Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, was shot on Friday while campaigning, public broadcaster NHK reports.

The incident occurred while Abe was making a public speech in Nara. The 67-year-old was rushed to a hospital after being wounded and going into cardiopulmonary arrest, NHK reported the fire department as saying. Police said that the former prime minster was shot from the behind by an assailant who used a shotgun. A male suspect who appeared to be in his 40s was apprehended by the authorities.

Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, reacted to the news on social media, writing, “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 U.S.” Emanuel, who was previously the mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019, continued, “The U.S. Government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, & people of Japan.”

This post will be updated.