[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot with a shotgun during a campaign rally supporting the House of Councillors election on the 8th and was transported to the hospital in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel expressed that he was "very saddened and shocked" and wished for Abe's safety.
Ambassador Emanuel tweeted immediately after the incident, saying, "We are all very saddened and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe." He referred to Abe using the Japanese honorific 'san,' calling him "Abe-san," and emphasized, "Abe-san was an outstanding leader of Japan and an unwavering ally of the United States." He added, "The U.S. government and the American people are praying for the safety of Abe-san, his family, and the Japanese people."
Bill Hagerty, U.S. Senator from Tennessee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019, also posted on his Twitter, linking to an article about Abe's condition, writing, "Praying for my friend Shinzo Abe. Monitoring the situation closely."
Earlier, around 11:30 a.m. on the same day, former Prime Minister Abe collapsed bleeding while conducting a street campaign in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, ahead of the House of Councillors election. NHK reported that two sounds resembling gunshots were heard, and Abe collapsed bleeding from his chest area.
Police officials stated that Abe appeared to have been shot from behind with a shotgun. Abe was urgently transported to the hospital, and fire authorities explained that he was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. Initially, while being transported by ambulance, Abe was conscious and responded to calls, but later lost consciousness and entered cardiopulmonary arrest.
The police arrested one man at the scene and are investigating him on suspicion of attempted murder. The gun the man possessed was also confiscated.
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