VFriday, July 8, Shinzo Abe succumbed to his injuries, after his assault by firearm during an electoral rally in Nara (West). The man suspected of killing the former Japanese prime minister is 41-year-old unemployed Tetsuya Yamagami, who told investigators he used a homemade weapon, according to Japanese police. “This is what the suspect claims, and we have established that [l’arme à feu utilisée] is clearly homemade in appearance, but our analysis is still ongoing,” a policeman from the Nara area, where the murder took place, told reporters.
The suspect also admitted to having targeted him. “The suspect said he held a grudge against a certain organization and he confessed to committing the crime because he believed former Prime Minister Abe was related to him,” the same policeman told reporters, refusing to give details. more details.
READ ALSODrool – The Legacy of Shinzo Abe: Empire of the Setting Sun
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he “can’t find words”. “I was praying for his life to be saved, but despite that, I heard the news (of his death). It’s really regrettable, ”he said, very moved. Emmanuel Macron reacted on Friday, sending his condolences to the Japanese authorities and people “on behalf of the French people”. “Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world,” the head of state wrote in a tweet.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday he was “deeply shocked” by the “heinous murder” of the former Japanese Prime Minister, “a defender of democracy and [s]a friend and colleague for many years. He assured that the Alliance, of which Tokyo is a close ally, “stands alongside” the Japanese and their government.
On behalf of the French people, I send my condolences to the Japanese authorities and people after the assassination of Shinzo Abe. Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world.
—Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 8, 2022
The UN Security Council observed a minute of silence during a meeting in New York, in tribute to Shinzo Abe. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply saddened by this terrible assassination”, and added that he would “keep in mind (the former Japanese Prime Minister’s) commitment to multilateralism”. . US President Joe Biden called the assassination of Shinzo Abe a “tragedy for Japan and all who knew him”. He ordered flags to be lowered until Sunday on federal buildings.
“A monstrous crime”, according to Russia
Russia denounced “a monstrous crime” and an “act of terrorism”. The Kremlin said it was “deeply saddened” by the murder of the former Japanese Prime Minister, “a great patriot”. Russian President Vladimir Putin lamented an “irreparable loss”. “I wish you courage in the face of this heavy irreparable loss,” he said, evoking the “beautiful memories of this remarkable man (who) will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew him”.
On Twitter, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised the “world leadership” of the former political leader, “which he has shown in difficult times”. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “deeply upset”, spoke of a “dear friend”. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the Japanese people,” he wrote on Twitter, before declaring a national day of mourning on Saturday in his country in honor of Shinzo Abe. The United States is “deeply concerned”. China said it was “shocked” by the attack, expressing “sympathy” for his family.
“It’s a very, very sad moment,” reacted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a G20 meeting in Bali.
READ ALSOJapan: Shinzo Abe, assassination of an iconoclast
“Fierce defender of democratic values”
European Council President Charles Michel said on Friday he was “shocked and saddened by the cowardly attack” on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whom he described as a “true friend, fierce defender of order multilateralism and democratic values”. “The EU stands with the people of Japan and (Prime Minister) Fumio Kishida in these difficult times. Deep condolences to his family,” wrote Charles Michel on Twitter. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, praised the memory of a “great democrat”, the victim of a “cowardly and brutal murder”.
In a statement, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol condemned an “unacceptable criminal act”: “I extend my sympathy and condolences to his family and to the Japanese people for the loss of their longest serving Prime Minister. long in power and respected politician. The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said he was “stunned and deeply saddened”, ensuring that he was “at Japan’s side in these difficult times”.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Abe, responded Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. I condemn those who perpetrated this heinous attack. »
The US is ‘deeply concerned’ by the shooting attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a G20 meeting in Bali #AFP ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/legHZagGTs
– Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) July 8, 2022