Iran Press/ Asia: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe collapsed and showed no sign of life after being shot on Friday during a speech in the western city of Nara, local media reported.
Party officials cited in Japanese media said the 67-year-old ex-world leader, Shinzo Abe, is unconscious. He was giving a speech in Nara, in western Japan, to support a campaigner, according to NHK.
“An NHK reporter on site heard something that sounded like a gunshot, and saw Abe bleeding,” the agency said in an alert.
A suspect was detained at the scene and is being questioned, the report added.
The country’s chief cabinet secretary is expected to address the media at around 0400 GMT (9.30 am IST), reported Reuters.
Another Japanese media house Kyodo said the former world leader is unconscious and appears to be in cardio respiratory arrest.
The incident occurred at around 11.30 am (8.30 am IST). Abe was making a campaign speech on a street ahead of Sunday’s election when he was apparently shot.
The sound of a gunshot was heard at the time. An NHK reporter on the scene said two consecutive bangs were heard during Abe’s speech. His security personnel were seen rushing to his aid, in videos and pictures captured.
"A man in his 40s, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown," chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
Shinzo Abe, who was Japan's longest-serving prime minister, stepped down in 2020 citing health reasons. He later revealed that 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.
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