Tributes from around the world. After’shooting attack which cost the life of the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, Friday July 8, during an electoral meeting in Nara (Japan), the world leaders express their dismay and pay tribute to the one who had broken records for longevity at the head of Japan.
>> LIVE. Japan: the latest information after the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Italy “strongly condemns the attack”
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi was one of the first to react after the announcement of Shinzo Abe’s death in the Japanese media, condemning “firmly” ‘the attack’ against the former prime minister. “Italy is close to Mr. Abe and the Japanese people at this dramatic time.”wrote mario Draghi on Twitter.
NATO denounces a “heinous murder”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said “deeply shocked” by “the heinous murder” by Shinzo Abe. In his tweet, Jens Stoltenberg address his “deepest condolences” his family, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and “to the people of Japan”a key partner of the Alliance.
Deeply saddened by the heinous killing of Shinzo Abe, a defender of democracy and my friend & colleague over many years. My deepest condolences to his family, PM @kishida230 & the people
of #NATO‘s partner #Japan at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/8rtdb0G11S— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 8, 2022
The Kremlin and the UK saddened
The Kremlin said to itself, through the voice of its spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, “deeply saddened” by this murder, saluting a “great patriot” from Japan. He condemns “in the firmest way this attack”.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also says he is “incredibly sad for Shinzo Abe” and greeted the “world leadership” of the former Japanese Prime Minister.
Japanese PM ‘can’t find words’
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, visibly very moved, assured “find no words” after the assassination of the former Japanese leader. “I was praying for his life to be saved, but despite this, I heard the news (of his death). It is truly regrettable. (…) I offer my sincere condolences and pray that his soul rests in peace. peace”, he told reporters.
岸田 総理 大臣 は 、 総理 大臣 官邸 記者 記者 団 に対し 「を を 取りとめ て いただき たい て て い た 、 祈り 祈り も 、 、 こう た 報 に 接する ことになっ てしまっ た。 誠 誠 に であり 、 言葉 言葉 言葉 言葉 言葉 言葉 言葉」と述べました。https://t.co/cPJHsCMriX#nhk_video pic.twitter.com/cmsw5meCsj
— NHKニュース (@nhk_news) July 8, 2022
EU chiefs hail ‘great democrat’
Shinzo Abe was “great democrat and defender of a multilateral world order“victim of a “cowardly and brutal murder”, regrets about her President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“I will never understand the brutal murder of this great man. Japan, Europeans share your grief”also commented on Twitter the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
It is with deep regret that I have learned of the passing of @AbeShinzo
I will never understand the brutal killing of this great man.
Japan, Europeans die with you.
My sincere condolences to his wife and family. https://t.co/AH9JA5s4U0
—Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) July 8, 2022
Germany”alongside Japan”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Friday “stunned and deeply saddened” by “the deadly attack on Shinzo Abe”. In a tweet, he also claims to be “alongside Japan in these difficult times”.
The assassination of @AbeShinzo leaves me shocked and deeply saddened. My deepest sympathy goes to his family, my colleague Fumio @kishida230 and our Japanese friends. We stand closely by Japan’s side in these difficult hours.
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 8, 2022
South Korea sends condolences
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol addressed “(s)a sympathy and (s) condolences to his family and to the Japanese people” for the loss of him who is “stayed longest in power”. Dyears his statement made public, Yoon Suk-yeol qualified finally the‘assassination of’“unacceptable criminal act”.
The two countries may have had complicated diplomatic relations due to the abuses committed by the Japanese army in China and on the Korean peninsula during the first half of the 20th century. Shinzo Abe had refused to apologize to Japan when in office.
“Japan is losing a prime minister,” regrets Emmanuel Macron
“On behalf of the French people, I send my condolences to the authorities and to the Japanese people after the assassination of Shinzo Abe”, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter, before adding: “Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world.”
On behalf of the French people, I send my condolences to the Japanese authorities and people after the assassination of Shinzo Abe. Japan is losing a great Prime Minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world.
—Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 8, 2022
In a press release, the Elysée also underlines the “very good relations” maintained by Emmanuel Macron and Shinzo Abe “until his departure from the government” in 2020 and “wishes that all gestures be made to express France’s solidarity with the citizens and authorities of Japan.”