UPDATE: Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was pronounced dead early Friday morning after being assassinated while giving a speech.
Original story below:
(Mark Pellin, Headline USA) In an apparent coldblooded attack that has been called “dastardly and barbaric,” former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was reported early Friday morning to be in critical condition after being shot while delivering a speech in Nara, Japan.
Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo reportedly remains in hospital without vital signs after being shot on the street in the western prefecture of Nara.https://t.co/4FZ6dUpBuK
— NHK WORLD News (@NHKWORLD_News) July 8, 2022
The unfolding news was greeted with an outpouring of well wishes and remembrances of Abe, who was a vocal critic of China and embraced strengthening ties with the U.S. to fight totalitarian regimes.
Former President Donald Trump called the shooting “Absolutely devastating news,” calling Abe “a truly great man and leader.”
“He was a true friend of mine and, much more importantly, America.”
BREAKING: Donald Trump speaks on the attempted assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. pic.twitter.com/a8ubz18256
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 8, 2022
The White House responded with a statement from a spokesman, informing that President Joe Biden was aware of the situation and the administration was “closely monitoring the reports and keeping our thoughts with his family and the people of Japan.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence called Abe “an unshakeable ally of the U.S.,” and he joined the “millions praying for this truly good man and his family.”
Shinzo Abe has been one of the fiercest anti-communists in all of Asia and was never afraid to stand up to the CCP. He dedicated his life to defending his country
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) July 8, 2022
The vile sentiments spewing from some of the same totalitarian regimes Abe fought to purge were celebratory in their sheer hate.
Users on the Chinese social media platform Weibo are celebrating the assassination of Ex-Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
They are praising the assassin and sending death wishes to Abe. pic.twitter.com/oQkwO1LrDK
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 8, 2022
In unfolding updates, NHK World News reported that Abe remained hospitalized without apparent vital signs. A suspect was apprehended shortly after the assassination attempt, and the alleged shooter has been charged with attempted murder.
There have been no further updates on Abe Shinzo’s condition. Police have arrested Yamagami Tetsuya for attempted murder. Defense officials say the 41-year-old suspect worked for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years until 2005. https://t.co/CVDvfYNfKm
— NHK WORLD News (@NHKWORLD_News) July 8, 2022
As the situation remained tenuous and Abe’s fate increasingly dire, the well wishes continued to flow.
Thoughts and prayers to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was just shot in an assassination attempt.
Abe was a loyal ally to the U.S., and fiercely defended the idea of national sovereignty.
He’s the guy to the right of Merkel with his arms crossed.
Total legend. pic.twitter.com/3UYKnqv7ub
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) July 8, 2022
