"I want to appeal directly to the people until the last moment before the election"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his condolences regarding former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot and killed during a campaign for the House of Councillors election on the 8th, saying, "It is truly heartbreaking and beyond words."
After the news of former Prime Minister Abe's death was reported, Prime Minister Kishida held a brief press conference at the Prime Minister's Official Residence and said, "We have lost a great politician. I sincerely pray for his soul."
He stated, "He loved the country and was always one step ahead of the times, leaving great achievements in various fields to open the future of this nation. We have lost a great politician. I want to firmly embrace and inherit former Prime Minister Abe's thoughts and fulfill my responsibilities."
He also said, "He was a fellow elected member of the House of Representatives, a colleague even after becoming a member of the National Diet, one of the ministers who supported the Abe Cabinet, and a good friend with whom I spent a lot of time."
Regarding the House of Councillors election on the 10th, he added, "Free and fair elections, which are the foundation of democracy, must be protected. I want to appeal directly to the people until the very last moment before the election."
He plans to visit and campaign in Yamanashi Prefecture and Nagata Prefecture on the 9th, the last day of the House of Councillors election campaign.
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