Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe assassinated
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot dead while addressing a political rally. Abe, 67, was shot twice in the southern Japanese city of Nara on Friday, local media reported.
He was rushed to a hospital after being shot. A photo taken at the scene shows blood flowing. Security officials have arrested a man on suspicion of shooting. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called the attack "barbaric and malicious."
Initially, the bullet wound was found on the right side of the neck and blood was also found on the left side of the chest. He was conscious for a few minutes after the attack and was given blood as his condition worsened.
According to eyewitnesses, he was shot by a man carrying a large gun while he was speaking in favor of a candidate. Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was taken into custody immediately after the shooting. He was speaking on behalf of the Liberal Democratic Party's candidate in Japan's upper house of parliament this week.
Proud of being a safe country, Japan has been shocked by the assassination of a prominent person. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, initially served one year in 2006 and one from 2012 to 2020. The last time he was prime minister, he resigned citing health reasons.
Abe, who has a tough policy on defense and foreign affairs, has pushed for monetary policy, fiscal stimulus and structural reforms. After his departure, Yoshihide Suga of his own party became prime minister. Since then, Fumio Kisida has taken over as prime minister. The attack has been condemned by leaders around the world.
Nepal to celebrate national mourning
The Government of Nepal has decided to mourn the death of former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. The cabinet meeting held on Friday strongly condemned the killing of Abe and decided to observe national mourning on Saturday. The Prime Minister's condolence message has been sent to Japan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Leaders including Prime Minister and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN-Maoist Center Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal have paid tributes to the late Abe.
Stating that he was deeply saddened by the news of Abe's death, Deuba wrote on Twitter, "He was not only a world leader but also a good friend of Nepal." I pray for the patience of the people of Japan and their bereaved families at this sad time. "Oli also tweeted:" I am deeply saddened by the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. I strongly condemn the heinous assassination of the former Prime Minister. Abe was a friend of Nepal and played a key role in strengthening Nepal-Japan relations when he was prime minister.
"I am shocked by the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe was an inspiring leader on the Asian continent with a new vision for the transformation of economics and security, "Dahal wrote on Facebook." He was also a close friend of Nepal and me. In this sad hour, I pay my deepest respects to him and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and friends of the Japanese people. "
Diplomatic relations were established between Nepal and Japan in 1956. Japan has been continuously supporting Nepal's economic development. High-level bilateral visits between Nepal and Japan have been taking place from time to time.
In this context, President Vidyadevi Bhandari met the then Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on an official visit to Japan in 2019. "We believe that Nepal's sustainable economic development will further strengthen peace and stability in the region," Abe said.
Abe also praised the launch of direct air links between Kathmandu and Osaka from August 2019. Abe said Nepal could use the development and knowledge of Japanese technology.
Similarly, Japan welcomes Nepal's manpower and such manpower can contribute to the quality economic growth of Nepal, according to a press statement issued by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the visit.
Similarly, before resigning citing health reasons, the then Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli took to Twitter to wish Abe good health. In response, Abe expressed confidence that the traditional ties between Nepal and Japan would reach new heights.
