Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, and his wife Akie in a warm moment. Photo by Akie Instagram capture
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] The family of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is also reported to have been deeply shocked by his death.
According to Japan's NHK on the 8th, former Prime Minister Abe died seven minutes after his wife, Mrs. Akie, arrived at the hospital and met with him.
Mrs. Akie boarded the Nara Prefecture express train from Kyoto at 3:40 PM and arrived at 4:30 PM. She then headed to Nara Medical University Hospital, where former Prime Minister Abe was being transported.
According to local media reports, she wore a black dress and appeared gloomy without saying a word.
Mrs. Akie entered the hospital building around 5 PM, and less than 10 minutes later, at approximately 5:03 PM, former Prime Minister Abe passed away. He was already in cardiopulmonary arrest when transported to the hospital.
Mrs. Akie married former Prime Minister Abe in 1987, and they spent 34 years together.
From the left, Mrs. Yoko, mother of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister Abe, and his wife Mrs. Akie. Photo by Akie Abe Instagram capture.
Former Prime Minister Abe’s mother is also said to have been deeply shocked by her son's death.
On the same day, Japanese media Shukan Gendai reported that an anonymous LDP lawmaker expressed concern about the mental state of Mrs. Yoko Abe, the 94-year-old mother of former Prime Minister Abe. There are also reports that Mrs. Yoko showed signs of mental confusion.
Known as the "godmother" of Japanese politics, Mrs. Yoko is the daughter of former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and married former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe in 1951. They had three sons, with former Prime Minister Abe being the second son.
On that day, around 11:30 AM, former Prime Minister Abe was campaigning on the streets in Nara Prefecture ahead of the Japanese House of Councillors election when he was shot by Tetsuya Yamagami and collapsed. He was transported to the hospital and continued to receive treatment in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest but did not regain consciousness and eventually died.
The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested at the scene, stated during police investigation that he committed the crime because he believed former Prime Minister Abe was connected to a certain religious group. Yamagami initially targeted the leader of the religious group after his mother’s involvement caused the family’s financial decline but soon changed his target to former Prime Minister Abe.
Former Prime Minister Abe’s funeral is scheduled to be held as a family ceremony on the 12th.
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