Former Japanese Prime Minister Assassinated Amidst His Campaign Speech
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving person to hold the office, died. Shinzo Abe died following a shooting during a campaign speech. The shooting took place in the city of Nara. A gunman shot Former Prime Minster Abe while delivering a campaign speech. The speech supported Sanshirō Matsuyama. Matsuyama is a candidate for the Liberal Democratic Party, which is the party Abe belonged to. Shinzo Abe later died in a hospital from the wounds.
The Attack
Reports indicate that two bullets struck Abe in the neck. Afterward, security officials tackled and restrained the gunman. Police later arrested Yamagami. The perpetrator of the attack is currently in custody.
The Identity of Abe’s Killer
The attacker’s identity is Tetsuya Yamagami. He admitted to attacking former Prime Minister Abe. Yamagami also provided a motive for his assassination. Yamagami claimed he killed Shinzo Abe for his ties to a “specific organization.” However, it is currently unknown exactly what organization Yamagami meant in his statement. Japanese authorities are investigating the intricacies of Yamagami’s stated reason for the attack.
Authorities confirmed that Yamagami attacked with what they described as a homemade gun. There have also been reports of other similarly described weapons in Yamagami’s residence. Japan’s implementation of strict gun laws is a likely reason for Yamagami’s use of a homemade firearm.
Remembering Shinzo Abe
Shinzo Abe served as Japan’s longest-tenured Prime Minster. First, he served from 2006 until 2007. Following this, he served from 2012 until his retirement in 2020. Following his death, many world leaders remarked on the tragedy. These voices include Boris Johnson, South Korean President Yun Suk-yeol, and the current Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida.
Many Japanese social media users also took to their accounts to denounce the attacker’s violence. Japanese citizens are understandably worried about the effects of this attack. Calls for peace have been standard in the hours after the event. Japan and the world hope their calls for peace affect change.
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Ryan Fields
