Summary

  • The suspect in the assassination of Shinzo Abe used a handmade gun to kill Japan's former PM, police say

  • Officers said they found several handmade weapons at the home of the suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, 41

  • Abe, 67, was shot at twice from behind while giving a campaign speech in southern Japan, suffering wounds to his neck and chest

  • He was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead about five hours later at 5pm local time

  • Japan's current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, says he is "lost for words", describing Abe as a "personal friend"

  • Abe - in office in 2006-07 and 2012-20 - remains the country's longest-serving PM and best-known political figure internationally

  • Global leaders are reacting with shock; PM Boris Johnson says the UK stands with the Japanese people at a "sad and dark time"

Live Reporting

Edited by Alex Therrien and Emma Owen

  1. Shooting of Abe 'unforgivable' - Kishida

    Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says the shooting of his predecessor and mentor Shinzo Abe is "absolutely unforgivable".

    Kishida is speaking to reporters at his official residence in Tokyo after rushing back to the capital from Yamagata, where he had been campaigning.

    “Currently doctors are doing everything they can,” he said. “At this moment, I am hoping and praying that former PM Abe will survive this."

    He condemned the shooting as a "barbaric and malicious" act and said that it "cannot be tolerated".

    "We will do everything we can," he added.

  2. Abe in 'grave condition' - Japanese PM
    Breaking

    Shinzo Abe has been taken to hospital and is in a "very grave condition" Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said.

    Kishida said he is "praying from his heart" that Abe survives the attack and condemned the shooting in "the strongest of terms".

    He added that all government ministers have been ordered back to Tokyo but said no decision had been made about amending the election schedule.

  3. Police arrest 41-year-old suspect, local media reports

    Police have arrested a 41-year-old man at the scene in connection with the shooting of Shinzo Abe, local media has reported.

    Tetsuya Yamagami is thought to be a native of Nara city, where the shooting took place.

    Spectators at the scene said he was immediately tackled by security officials after the shooting. He is said to have been armed with a homemade firearm.

    Local media have reported that he is a former member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, the country's equivalent of a navy.

  4. Such a barbaric act can never be tolerated - chief cabinet secretary

    "We strongly condemn it", chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said in response to the shooting in Japan.

    He told reporters: "Whatever the reason, such a barbaric act can never be tolerated."

    The chief cabinet secretary said one man, believed to be the shooter has been put into custody.

    "The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown", he said.

  5. PM Kishida speaking shortly

    We are expecting the current Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, to speak shortly. We will bring you updates as it happens.

  6. Who is Shinzo Abe?

    Shinzo Abe speaks at a news conference in Tokyo. Photo: 25 May 2020Reuters

    Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and stepped down in 2020 due to health reasons.

    The 67-year-old revealed he had suffered a relapse of ulcerative colitis, an intestinal disease.

    He was succeeded by his close party ally Yoshihide Suga, who was later replaced by Fumio Kishida.

    Abe is known for his hawkish policies and his signature economic strategy of "Abenomics".

    Nicknamed "the Prince", Abe hails from political royalty as the son of former Foreign Minister Shintaro Abe and grandson of former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi.

  7. What we know so far

    A general view of the scene where Abe was shotReuters

    Shinzo Abe, the former Japanese prime minister, has been shot at an event in the city of Nara.

    Here is what we know so far:

    • He was shot twice, with the second shot hitting his back, which caused him to fall to the ground
    • He was giving a stump speech for a candidate when he was attacked
    • Ex-Tokyo governor Yoichi Masuzoe said the former prime minister was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest – a term often used before a death is officially confirmed
    • However the cabinet secretary described his condition as "currently unknown"
    • His attacker has been arrested, with Japanese media describing him as a maritime officer

  8. Welcome to our live coverage

    The former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot at a campaign event in western Japan. His condition is unclear.

    Our full story is here and we will also be bringing you live updates.