Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 9: As a sign of respect for former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, who was slain on Friday, the national tricolour of India was flown at half-mast on Saturday at the Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Parliament House.
Abe was shot on Friday while giving a campaign speech in the western Japanese city of Nara. The shocking news of Abe’s unfortunate death was shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet, which read: “As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister #ShinzoAbe, a one-day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022.”
PM Modi wrote, “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.”
In a blog post titled “My Friend, Abe San” PM Modi wrote, “In the passing away of Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend.”
“I first met Abe San (dear or friend) in 2007 and since then, we have had so many memorable interactions. I will cherish each of them. Abe San energised the India-Japan relationship. He ensured that Japan is there side by side as New India accelerates its growth,” wrote PM Modi.
Abe was taken to the hospital after the attack, and according to early media accounts citing the police, it looked that the former Japanese prime minister had been shot in the chest. He had “cardiopulmonary arrest,” according to their description, and had no vital signs.
Later, the government-controlled Liberal Democratic Party was cited by public broadcaster NHK as saying that Abe had passed away. According to representatives of the Nara Medical University Hospital, Abe passed away at 5:03 p.m. (local time) and suffered two bullet wounds in his neck.
According to regional media, Tetsuya Yamagami, a 41-year-old inhabitant of Nara City, was detained by Japanese police. In advance of Sunday’s elections for Japan’s upper chamber of Parliament, a gun that appeared to be handcrafted was found at the location where Abe was campaigning for a candidate.
"PM Abe was a transformative leader for Japan and for Japanese relations with each one of our countries. He also played a formative role in the founding of the Quad partnership, & worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," reads the statement
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2022
"Our hearts are with the people of Japan and Prime Minister Kishida in this moment of grief. We will honour Prime Minister Abe’s memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region," reads the statement
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2022
Japan’s longest-serving leader, Abe, retired in 2020, citing health concerns. He served as Japan’s prime minister twice, from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. Yoshihide Suga and then Fumio Kishida succeeded him.
Earlier in his live speech to the nation yesterday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida stated that “this is not a forgivable conduct” and that authorities will “take proper measures to tackle the problem.”
The reason for Abe’s shooting is unknown, according to PM Kishida. The shooting suspect is a former member of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, according to the media outlet citing government sources. Additionally, the Japanese PM asked that no one at the moment speculate about any potential political implications.
