Shinzo Abe
Shinzo Abe in 'very grave condition' after being shot, says Japan PM Fumio Kishida
Tokyo/UNI: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his predecessor Shinzo Abe is in a "very grave condition" after being shot during a speech at a campaign event.
Rescue officials said Abe was wounded and bleeding on the right side of his neck.
They said he also has internal bleeding in his left chest and has no vital signs.
Kishida told reporters that the former Prime Minister is in serious condition after he was attacked in Nara City.
"It is such a despicable act that took place during an election period, which is the foundation of democracy.
"It is totally unacceptable. I condemn the act in the strongest possible terms," Kishida said
Kishida added that it is important for the government to prepare to take all necessary measures to deal with any possible situation.
Kishida arrived at the Prime Minister's office at 2:30 p.m. local time by helicopter from Yamagata Prefecture where he was campaigning for the upcoming Upper House election and later met the press.
Abe, 67, was also campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party in the city of Nara in western Japan when he was shot from the back. He collapsed after a second shot, witnesses said.
A man apprehended immediately after with a handmade gun has admitted to carrying out the act with the intention to kill Abe as he was dissatisfied with him.
Abe reportedly has no vital signs after being shot on the streets of Nara.
The incident happened around 11.30 am local time, shortly after Abe began to speak. Video footage going viral on social media appears to show security guards at the event apprehending someone.
Sources with the investigation told NHK a gun seized at the scene appeared to be handmade.
Abe was rushed by medevac to a hospital in Kashihara City of Nara prefecture.
Yamagami Tetsuya, who has been arrested for attempted murder, is a 41-year-old former Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force employee. He worked for three years until around 2005.
Police say the suspect told investigators that he was dissatisfied with the former Prime Minister and intended to kill him.
But he also reportedly said that he did not hold a grudge against Abe's political beliefs, NHK reported.
Abe was in the city to support a candidate for Sunday's Upper House election.
The local Liberal Democratic Party office said Abe's appearance was decided Thursday afternoon and those details were later released to supporters.
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