Former Prime Minister Abe dies after being shot while campaigning in Nara

you can see from the pictures, but if you see the video the explosion after the first shot is from the left back of where Abe was, it was not in front in fact he didn't realize immediately while talking, if the assassin was in front of him he could have seen him immediately

so or the doctors are lying or what we saw in the videos is not how Abe really died...

The first shot was fired from behind and missed, only superficially grazing Abe’s neck. Then, in all likelihood, Abe turned towards the source of the bang (like we all would naturally do), which would then have him facing his assassin, who fired the second shot into his chest.

Doctor says it was from the front - all the reporting was wrong.

you can see from the pictures, but if you see the video the explosion after the first shot is from the left back of where Abe was, it was not in front in fact he didn't realize immediately while talking, if the assassin was in front of him he could have seen him immediately

so or the doctors are lying or what we saw in the videos is not how Abe really died...

I feel terrible for all the people in Japan. This senseless act has shocked the nation and the world. I'm hoping Japan will come out of this tragedy stronger than ever. Life is short. Shorter for some than others.

I can't believe it.. So shocked with this news..

Terrible, terrible day for Japan, being one of the safest countries in the world..

I hope Japan can improve its security measures in this kind of issues in the future and the country can recover from this big loss..

Thank you Abe San for your work and dedication to Japan, may your legacy last forever..

May your soul rest in peace and God bless Japan...

40 - 50 secret policemen were so bad to protect Abe during speech. At first shot policemen should have put the man down quickly but gave him second chance to shoot Abe again. It seems secret police believed too much such shooting would never happen there in Japan.

I wasn't making a joke or laughing either- if you somehow imagined i was then that's your propensity .

Seems quite a few thought that comment was distasteful.

It's because i didn't know the wound was that large .

It's that simple

Now you know

At my age I'm not easily shocked, but Abe's death has hit me hard. As a long-time fan who has watched his career unfold over many years, hearing news of his assassination was like a kick to the stomach. I have many Japanese friends, acquaintances, business relationships, and two of my nieces are half-Japanese. I could never have imagined that something like this would or could ever happen in Japan. Abe's vision for the future, agree with him or not, was wise, informed, and he never shied away from doing what was necessary in terms of securing Japan's role on the world stage. He was an elder statesman of the world, a visionary, a man of great substance, and now some . . . person . . . has selfishly pulled a black curtain over a bright light.

@Bass4funk

It's not funny

I wasn't making a joke or laughing either- if you somehow imagined i was then that's your propensity .

It's because i didn't know the wound was that large .

It's that simple

The cause of death was believed to be blood loss

Uh...no.

The cause of death was murder by a hand Canon at close range.

Very indignant, callous and cowardly act. RIP Shinzo.

I feel pain. Rest in peace Mr. Abe. I thought he was a very hard worker and a nice guy.

i am iranian and i liked mr . abe. he was a man of peace.he even traveled to iran to prevent a war between iran and usa my condolences to the japanese people

Before he became Prime Minister the first time around he used to visit a local bar near here. The Mama San really liked him. I am really sad to hear this news.

@kaimycal. There didn’t need to be draconian American style security since gun violence is so rare. 10 gun deaths last year (8 were yakuza internal affairs) in a country with roughly half the population of the US.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Whether or not you like Abe san, or his political views, this is no way to treat some one, its just so wrong on so many levels, this is a very sad day for Japan, RIP Abe san.

Was it really necessary to publish a photo of Abe lying on the ground dying? I think this is very bad taste.

@kaimycahlJuly 8  11:04 pm JST

Guns are accessible in the US just as knives are in Japan as rocks are used to stone people to death in Iran. The choice of weapons doesn't mean people will not kill. They kill with what is readily available. Wow and this happens

Yes agreed... As I always say. "guns don't kill people, Americans with guns kill people"

Well done for proving the point

Was never a supporter of him, however I met him several times and he was a complete gentleman and a statesman and only wanted the best for Japan. I met his wife Akie more and she is charming, intelligent and charismatic.

It's a sad day when democracy is usurped by a nutcase probably some conspiracy maniac.

RIP Abe San and my sincere condolences Akie San.

He was also quoted as saying he was dissatisfied with Abe and planned to kill him. 

??? Very strange. To be dissatisfied - it is one thing. To kill someone... totally different.

I can be strongly dissatisfied with my boss, wife, colleagues... very strange...

Firstly, I feel very sorry for his Family & close friends, as with any death.

Secondly, I wonder why so many Down-votes of the comments here ? Especially those who simply express sympathy for the bereaved.

Thirdly, I suspect a CCP involvement, and perhaps that may answer my Second comment since I believe having reviewed similar articles over time, it's the same players involved doing the down voting and raising unusual questioning comments that appear to benefit the CCP against Japan.

For those who can read Chinese; on the Chinese Weibo platform, Abe's death was announced 10 minutes after the event occurred, and also along with the name of the Attacker - far well before Japanese Media obtained that information... Question - how were these Netizens able to get such "accurate" information ?

Also, Chinese Social media is discussing the Attacker's relationship with a Semi-Religious organization that has a connection to the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo... along with his visits to China & Taiwan. The plot thickens here, an out of the blue "lone-wolf" attacker scenario seems unlikely, is there more in-play here ? Does the "Marco-Polo Bridge Incident" have any significance ? https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/special/70yrs_e/main/honsho_1_13.html

Is there a relationship to an imminent attack upon Taiwan by the CCP .... ?

I’m so sad. He was an amzing leader for Japan. My deepest condolences to his family first and to all the Japanese people.

Very sorry to read this news. May he rest in peace.

Such a sad day for this nation, I was a big fan of his political views; an anti-globalist and an advocate of national sovereignty.

I hope Japan one day can achieve this great man's goal of making Japan once again a feared nation that's not a puppet of western powers.

Rest in peace.

And yet he chose to make a gun.

Right? It’s almost as if knives and stones are not readily available stateside.

goodness gracious was it really that big of a wound ?

Must of been a hand Canon.

That's intense !

It's not funny.

BungleToday  06:33 pm JST

I cannot say I liked the guy, but he deserved better than to be shot in the back.

We can all have our opinions about Abe and his policies and what all but he did not stir up violence or ever condone it. And he didn't deserve this type of treatment either. He didn't deserve to die like this.

This reminds me of the attempted suicide car bomb assassination attempt against ex-Pres. George Bush in early 1993. It was cowardly and totally stupid to the max, against a former head of state. Just like Abe was a former PM, this is also a senseless act. Abe's murder is totally uncalled for, he didn't do anything to deserve this.

My condolences and sympathy to his surviving loved ones, family, and the people of the Empire of Nippon.

@Randy Johnson

I suppose that the security is normally light for a politician not in office, but remember watching this clip of the twelve leading security people spending more time watching the emperor and empress and too little time watching the onlookers in Tokyo Station. https://youtu.be/CD0A_GWGRKc

Reportedly the suspect held a grudge against an organization he claimed Abe was a part of, but the police didn’t want to state which organization.

withholding that information seems a bit fishy.

It’s pretty obvious that organization is Nippon Kaigi.

According to the news, the guy didn't like some religious group Abe was associated with. At least he thought Abe was associated with them but wasn't sure.

Elites will see this as an outrageous attack on one of their own; a threat to the power structure itself which cannot be allowed to go unanswered. You can be sure that the authorities’ response will be proportionate. Nothing short of the death penalty and an expedited one at that is entirely foreseeable.

RIP Abe-san

Guns are accessible in the US just as knives are in Japan as rocks are used to stone people to death in Iran.

there is no comparison between the three. Guns are the most effective killing tool of the three by a long shot. Excuse the pun.

I Posted this yesterday about: Gun violence in America: A long list of forgotten victims

Guns are accessible in the US just as knives are in Japan as rocks are used to stone people to death in Iran. The choice of weapons doesn't mean people will not kill. They kill with what is readily available. Wow and this happens

Its ironic that we hear about people getting killed in the US by guns daily and one when most people heard about the incident they thought Abe would have been assassinated by someone with a Knife. I think this is what's most shocking about what happened is most people are looking at he was killed assassinated but no one talks about how he was killed with a home made gun!!! Some say shocking some say surprising! What is shocking to me is how open Abe was to ordinary people and this guy was allowed to get that close and get off a shot. My only question was where was his security? From the article I read this guy said he planned to kill Abe, personally I think there is more to this because you don't fashion a gun in such a short time, it has to be tested to make sure it works and get the materials for the gun. I don't think this guy was alone.

Apparently the decision for Abe to go to Nara was made yesterday. Does that mean this lunatic was planning to kill anyone and decided on Abe at the last minute??

I hope this sick individual rots in jail for the rest of their life.

“I cannot say I liked the guy, but he deserved better than to be shot in the back.”

My thoughts exactly

Jeans and T-shirtToday  10:21 pm JST

I do agree that security weren't paying enough attention to the periphery, especially the rear. The guy walks purposefully towards Abe from quite far back. Definitely enough time for a vigilant security guard to get between them.

100% correct, the Security Police and regular police failed completely and heads need to roll.

NOMINATIONToday  07:44 pm JST

Secret service should have been standing facing forward and facing backwards instead of leaving him exposed. Secondly, he is a former PM so at least there should have been heavy police presence there to go with the ss.

He was being guarded, I can't say "protected", by the Security Police, Tokyo Police and local police and they failed to see someone approach him from behind and shoot him. Not being used to people trying to assassinate high profile figures they neither expected nor saw the danger. Hopefully a full enquiry will identify those failing in their duties and the appropriate action will be taken. Then perhaps they will get the experts in to train them in how to protect.

As a nation mourns, remember the people of Japan are strong, the country is one of the safest in the world, life is fairly good for most people and we are free. Prime Minister Abe stood tall in fighting for Japan to continue to grow into a stronger and better place. While not everyone agrees with his politics, the man always put his image of Japan first and worked hard for many years up until his assassination to improve the life of the Japanese and those of us who call Japan home. A sad day that a coward shot down a leader and took away his strong voice. It's time to mourn and when it is finished let's not forget we live in a great safe and free country and it is better because it had Abe's leadership. Rest In Peace.

@bass4funk

Fist sized hole in his chest

goodness gracious was it really that big of a wound ?

Must of been a hand Canon.

That's intense !

A dark day for Japan. May he rest in peace. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.

My heart and soul is with PM Abe's family along with all of Japan today. Such a tragedy, incredibly shocking.

Politics in Japan (at least during campaigns) will now, sadly, be forever changed.

I don't understand the need for many people to say that they didn't like Shinzo Abe. This is not the time.

Rest in Peace.

Look like the days of politicians campaigning openly on the streets are ending.

Reportedly the suspect held a grudge against an organization he claimed Abe was a part of, but the police didn’t want to state which organization.

withholding that information seems a bit fishy.

It’s pretty obvious that organization is Nippon Kaigi.

Maybe death by gun shots are rarein Japan, but they affect statistically more famous persons.

RIP.

I was thinking the same. Some says that there was no time SS could do something. IMO they failed ugly. After the first shot they should immediately take the Abe off the stage down and protect. However, they turned back and watched for the person who shot. Fail!!!

Having seen the videos, there’s some issues with this idea. First, the time between the first and second shots was less than 2 seconds. Hardly enough time for the security officers to usher Abe away before the fatal shot struck him.

Second, the “gunshots” don’t actually sound all that much like gunshots. It’s somewhere between a small explosion and a car backfiring. Either way, not immediately identifiable as gunfire. That’s because the “gun” used was, in reality, a pair of open-ended, electrically-fired pipe bombs. Given the inaccuracy of the weapon (he missed the first shot), the shooter was likely directly next to Abe, meaning there was no time to react.

The pertinent question isn’t “Why didn’t security move Abe away after the first shot?”. It’s “How did this guy, carrying a pretty large weapon, get that close unnoticed?”

Assassinated! Poor man’

My condolences, not that it means anything to anyone.

Kinda silly to say the motive had nothing to do with politics when a famous politician was killed while campaigning, yet you aren't aware of a motive. So you don't know anything but it's anything but politics.

I do not get involved in politics, but I have to say he was an iconic figure in Japanese politics. This is a barbaric act that should not go unpunished. Sorry for your loss Japan, the wife, relatives and friends. May your souls Rest In Peace. Condolences to the Japanese people. Goshusho sama deshita.

gun crime rare in Japan' - this is equally true anywhere else in the world except the US and South America/Africa.

You're right in that gun crime extremely high in the US, South America, and Africa, but gun crime is significantly lower in Japan than elsewhere, as are violent crimes.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate

Condolences to Abe San's family, the people of Yamaguchi and Japan.

I had the pleasure of working with some Ministers and Senators in Abe's administration and some work with the Embassy and his Government. They always respected him and he was good for Japan on the international stage in my opinion and a conservative who wanted more foreign connections whole maintaining the Japanese spirit.

RIP

He was not shot, he was assassinated.

While it is easy to dismiss the political system in Japan, with its de facto one party rule and lack of debate, it has failed to lead to the divisions and strife that we have seen in many other countries in recent years, most particularly in the US where there has been a near breakdown in political discourse and high levels of violence.

Given this, the muder of Abe seems particularly shocking.

Can anybody explain this strange lack of effort to be factually accurate regarding Japan in the Western media?

@letsberealistic - it sounds like the reports were entirely accurate and you agree with them. If anything, your concern was that they were being inaccurate about the portrayal of the West.

Either way, not sure why this accurate reporting of Japan concerns you.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said he did not know Abe’s condition. Kyodo news agency and NHK said Abe, 67, appeared to be in a state of cardiac arrest when taken to hospital.

Probably because he had a fist-sized hole in his chest. Sorry, but when you get shot in the chest like that, to even mention you dying from a cardiac arrest is just a mind-numbing headshaker

RIP Mr. Abe.

I just can't get over the killer standing behind Mr. Abe clapping his hands as Abe spoke, what a cold blooded coward.

RIP

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said he did not know Abe’s condition. Kyodo news agency and NHK said Abe, 67, appeared to be in a state of cardiac arrest when taken to hospital.

Shots were heard and a white puff of smoke was seen as Abe made a stump speech for a Sunday upper house election outside a train station in the western city, NHK said

https://worldabcnews.com/japan-ex-leader-shinzo-abe-shot-says-government-spokesperson/

Can anybody explain this strange lack of effort to be factually accurate regarding Japan in the Western media?

Everything you quoted is true, so what are you complaining about?

Never thought this could happen in Japan. 

I always knew it could happen and might happen, but I wish it didn't happen.

Indeed a sad day for Japan and the World. Rest in peach Abe san.

I agree.

卑怯極まる。とても無念だ。安眠を祈る。

The most cowardly act. Truly sad. Rest in Peace.

adding the cause of death is believed to be blood loss.

Considering how slow they transported him out of there, this is not a surprise. Rescuers are more concerned in covering him in blue tarp than saving his life.

Can anybody explain this strange lack of effort to be factually accurate regarding Japan in the Western media?

Perhaps it's based on stereotypes.

But who in the West reads Japanese daily news?

Never thought this could happen in Japan.

Sadly Japan isn't immune. You must not have been in Japan in 2007. The Mayor of Nagasaki Itoh was also shot dead while campaigning.

I'll admit to not liking his politics but nobody deserved that. Condolences to his family.

He was a good person and fully dedicated to the wellbeing of his people. I wish I could say the same about most politicians holding key positions in my own country. May his immortal soul dwell in eternal peace. Thank you for your service, Sir.

I had my opinions of political Abe, but this tragic and very sad. RIP Abe-san, RIP.

Never thought this could happen in Japan.

Indeed a sad day for Japan and the World. Rest in peach Abe san.

A sad day for Japan, a sad day for democracy.

Certainly not the way to go down for a world leader and a former PM.

Abe-san didn't deserve this at all. May he rest in peace.

I have always admired the ease with which Japanese politicians conduct their speeches in the public. No huge arrangements, no huge rallies, no hordes of masses... Just plain appeals to people. However that leaves them vulnerable too.

I really hope there is an additional layer of security henceforth.. It's shocking to see how close the assassin got, without anyone particularly noticing him

...But they just looked around as did Abe. The poor man was a sitting duck field the 2nd blast

I was thinking the same. Some says that there was no time SS could do something. IMO they failed ugly. After the first shot they should immediately take the Abe off the stage down and protect. However, they turned back and watched for the person who shot. Fail!!!

The man could have been saved.

However, after watching scenes and read "heart stopped" I knew 100% he won't make it. I'm sorry, it's sad but when heart fail and is not moving soon (10min max?) then is over.

Nobody deserve to die this way.

From photos taken at the scene, the gun in question was a double-barreled improvised weapon, commonly called a zip gun. One of the photos shows what appears to be a 9-volt battery, so it was likely fired by means of an electrical switch. The piezoelectric lighters from barbecue grills are popular ignition sources for potato guns here in the US, so it’s possible that was the trigger. That also means it almost certainly DIDN’T fire actual bullets or shotgun shells, since those need to be fired by mechanically striking the primer.

He probably gathered black powder from legal sources, such as model rockets or fireworks and then loaded the barrels with whatever would fit, like ball bearings or fishing weights.

Look at the positioning. The guy could walk on a crossing directly behind Abe… someone messed up big time!

"I was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him but it was not a grudge against his political beliefs," Nara prefectural police quoted Yamagami as saying.

It wasn’t Abe’s political beliefs that elicited the dissatisfaction?

To kill a politician takes motive. Despite the declaration that this had nothing to do with politcs, i would bet that it did.

Shocking and sad news whether you like his politics or not.

He was a great man who loved his country. A great loss. Pray for Japan.

These kinds of culprits believe that it is the fault of politics and others that they are poor and unsuccessful. The level of thinking is below that of a elementary school student.

6 hours to announce he died, after being dead 30 secs after he got shot.

Nothing strange here. British authorities knew Princess Diana was killed in the car crash but persuaded the BBC not to announce her death many hours later. It was meant to prepare the nation “for the shock” according to the news reader who gave the “in serious condition” story.

Same with the JFK assassination. No “recovery” possible. The “President is being rushed to the hospital” story was given to the press.

And so on … Perhaps it’s for the best. Abe was an historical figure. A sad day for Japan.

The press briefing leaks from prosecutors must stop , the judiciary, jurisprudence must be allow to take its course.

Unforgivable - violence should never be an option! Rest in peace, Mr. Abe. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends!

If the team had reacted as the secret service is trained to do, some would have move to the sound, some to the protectee and some would have acted as a bullet catcher.

Secret service should have been standing facing forward and facing backwards instead of leaving him exposed. Secondly, he is a former PM so at least there should have been heavy police presence there to go with the ss.

A wicked, heinous, egregious, undertaking for its utter cruelty.

Abe wife has been brutally cheated out of sharing the fulfilment of a quiet retirement. now to suffer the loneliness contemplating what could have been.

If found guilty, I hope the full weight of the justice system shows no mercy from the nearest lamppost

Whatever your opinion of the individuals politics, it is never acceptable to commit murder. For democracy to function effectively the elected representatives have to have close contact with and be accessible to their electorate. TV ads and social media are inadequate, distancing and isolating, leading to a electorate disconnected from and disenchanted with their representatives and a consequent dissociation of the system.

My respects to Mr Abe for going out to meet the people and my utmost sympathy for his family at their shocking and untimely loss

So sorry it had to end this way, Abe-san. may his legacy live on.

Even if one disagreed with his politics, it is a truly sad and horrible day for Japan. No one deserves to die like that. Friday, July 8, 2022 will be an infamous and tragic day in this nation's history.

Rest in Peace, Abe Shinzo.

"I was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him but it was not a grudge against his political beliefs," Nara prefectural police quoted Yamagami as saying.

As a very long=term resident of Japan, I predicted this kind of statement would be issued forth.

I suspect there is an ideological motive, but the government is not keen to have their own ideological stance to be seen as in any way radical or objectionable.

Political disputes are never settled through these kinds of violent, immoral, and illegal actions. They're just made worse. I hope Japan doesn't go down the same illiberal path some other nations have.

RIP, Shinzo Abe. No one deserves this.

I strongly opposed many of his ideas, but at the same time, his being shot is a great tragedy for Japan.

Shocking

He didn't deserve to go this way. May he rest in peace. I just hope we don't get copy cats following this criminal's footsteps.

May he Rest In Peace.

“Maybe the war could have been avoided if Zelensky could have been forced to pledge that his country would not join NATO or had been forced to grant a high degree of autonomy to Luhansk and Donetsk in the east,” Abe noted per The Economist.

Moreover, the former Japanese PM added that US President Joe Biden could influence Zelensky to change his position.

Abe was pro Russia. It definitely was not the right wing or the J Communists. The crazy gun man was politically motivated.

My deepest condolences to his wife and extended family.

I’m pretty sure he was dead at the scene pretty much if you listen to the extent of his injuries which by all accounts were beyond significant, I just couldn’t see how anyone could have survived an attack like that. Of course the doctors had to do their jobs, but they all knew the inevitable.

Doctor says it was from the front - all the reporting was wrong.

I watched a video on NHK world that captures the moment. It is a bit far but you still can see the man walked behind Abe and fired. The first shot missed and Abe turned around when the second shot was fired. That is why Abe was hit from the front.

He has stimulated Japan economy with three arrows. He was good looking as movie star.

So sad and so soon. Deepest sympathy for the family.

I agree with other posters, his security team dropped the ball. 

For a former PM, I doubt they gave him much security. I think if you really want to kill someone, you can do it, other than the POTUS and perhaps some other world leaders and celebs. I mean, who would want to kill a former PM? I guess we will find out in the coming days/weeks.

RIP Shinzo

Old guy with a red stick?

His security team completely failed him.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Abe.

What an unusual way to go for a man of such great power and influence.

Rest in peace Abe-san

Well, one thing is for certain. Security for politicians in japan will change going forward.

RIP.

RIP

A horrible way to go.

Rest in peace.

His security team completely failed him.

Very sad!

Not a fan but no one deserves to be murdered like this.

Not a politician I was much in agreement with but there is no place for gunplay in a democracy. My sympathies to his family.

Rest in Peace

I agree with other posters, his security team dropped the ball. He seemed uninjured after the first blast. I apologize in advance if I am incorrect but it seems that the first shell somehow failed and injured no one.

If the team had reacted as the secret service is trained to do, some would have move to the sound, some to the protectee and some would have acted as a bullet catcher.

But they just looked around as did Abe. The poor man was a sitting duck field the 2nd blast.

My condolences to the family.

Perhaps it is time for Japanese politicians to embrace the modern world and end the "campaign Van" and join the 20th century with TV adds and time and join the 21st century on social media.

We are no longer 1950s, We are 2022 and anything and everything can be ordered online, 3D printed and a how to make just about anything is available online on YouTube, etc..

Apparently the assassin made his gun and I suspect we will see more of this type of thing and not just guns but all sorts of things and devices.

In my years living here, can't say I understand Japanese politics, but this isn't the way to solve grievance, whatever it may have been. This is truly a shocking event.

Condolences to Abe's family and friends,

Not the Japan we know.

A new national holiday or two in his honour would be nice.

RIP

I was never a particular Abe fan, but goodness, what a horrible way to go out. The man did not deserve this. May he rest in peace, and all my condolences to his family. Truly, what a sad day for Japan...

nonu6976Today  06:27 pm JST

6 hours to announce he died, after being dead 30 secs after he got shot.

I know it's the Japanese way to wait for a doctor to confirm, but 6 hoursAs courtesy and custom demands, they wanted the 1st of kids Mrs Akie Abe, the wife to be present and inform her first before going public with the news. There's nothing wrong with that.

Police and the media have been quick to report a couple of days before the election that the killer has said he had nothing against Abe's political beliefs...and then report nothing is known about his motives.

Deepest heartfelt condolences to his wife and family. A very sad day for the people of Japan and a cowardly act.

Terrible, shocking news. RIP.

I was hoping he could be one of the lucky ones, even after being shot multiple times, there’s always hope, but… no. Rest In Peace.

Condolences to his family and friends. A terrible way to end a life.

Doctor says it was from the front - all the reporting was wrong.

Very sad day in Japan's modern political history.

Sincere condolences to Mrs.Abe and family

RIP

I’m totally shocked,this is not the way to die.

Today is a day where democracy and peace fail.

May his soul rest in peace.