Greg Monks comments

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.