JAPAN, JULY 08: Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is in “grave condition” after being shot while delivering a campaign speech in the city of Nara, his successor, Fumio Kishida, has said.
Kushida condemned the attack on Friday against Abe and said he was praying the 67-year-old would survive. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters had been shot at about 11:30am (02:30 GMT), adding that “such an act of barbarity cannot be tolerated”.
The NHK public broadcaster, citing the local fire department, said Abe was “showing no vital signs”. NHK, citing Japanese police, said Abe appeared to have been shot from behind with a shotgun and said its reporter on the scene heard “what sounded like a gun going off twice.
The broadcaster aired footage showing Abe collapsed on the street, with several security guards running towards him. Abe was holding his chest when he collapsed, with his shirt smeared with blood. Kyodo News said Abe was not conscious and appeared to be in cardiac arrest.
