Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday “not finding words” after the shooting of former head of government Shinzo Abe during the election campaign in Nara (west of the country), at the age of 67 years old.
“I was praying for his life to be saved, but despite that, I heard the news [de sa mort]. It’s really unfortunate. I can’t find words. I offer my sincere condolences and pray that his soul rests in peace,” a deeply moved Mr. Kishida told reporters.
Prime Minister in 2006-2007 and then from 2012 to 2020, Mr Abe was giving a late morning speech near a train station in Nara during an election campaign rally ahead of Sunday’s senatorial elections when he was fatally injured , hit by two bullets in the neck.
“During this election period, a barbaric act was committed, taking the life of former Prime Minister Abe. It is unforgivable. We condemn [cet acte] once again, in the strongest terms,” Mr. Kishida added.
Election preparations will continue, Mr. Kishida said, because “we absolutely must defend free and fair elections, which are the foundation of democracy” and “we will never give in to violence”, he said.
Mr. Abe carried “a heavy responsibility as prime minister for eight years and eight months, the longest period in the history of constitutional government”, added Mr. Kishida.
“He guided the country through a difficult domestic and international situation, thanks to his exceptional leadership skills and his leadership abilities.”
Current leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD, nationalist right in power), Mr. Kishida had been close to Mr. Abe, of whom he had been the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017.
The reactions of international leaders
“Democrat”, “visionary”: from Asia to the West, world leaders paid tribute on Friday to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and expressed their emotion after his assassination.
India declared a day of national mourning on Saturday in “solidarity” with the Japanese.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken lamented the loss of a “visionary leader” who “carried the relationship between […] the United States and Japan, at the highest levels”.
” I wish you […] courage in the face of this heavy irreparable loss,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a condolence telegram to Shinzo Abe’s mother and widow, according to a Kremlin statement. “Beautiful memories of this remarkable man will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him,” he said.
The Chinese Embassy in Japan said China was “shocked” by the attack. “Former Prime Minister Abe contributed to the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. We express our condolences on the occasion of his passing and express our sympathy and concern for his family,” an embassy spokesperson said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was “deeply saddened by this heinous murder”, hailing “a defender of democracy”, “my friend and colleague for many years”. Japan is a key partner of the Alliance.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced on Twitter the “cowardly and brutal murder” of a “great democrat and defender of a multilateral world order”, whose attack “shocks the whole world”.
“I will never understand the brutal murder of this great man. Japan, the Europeans share your mourning”, reacted for his part the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, on the same social network.
“Italy is shocked by the terrible attack that has struck Japan and its free democratic debate,” reacted the head of the Italian government, Mario Draghi.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was “stunned and deeply saddened”, claiming to be “at Japan’s side in these difficult times”.
“It was with horror that I learned the news […] “Reacted ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel, remembering her” pleasure in working “with a man with whom the relationship was” marked by trust “.
“Japan is losing a great prime minister, who dedicated his life to his country and worked to bring balance to the world,” reacted French President Emmanuel Macron.
“I have great memories of our friendship and the work we have done together,” said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, condemning a “cowardly” attack.
“Incredibly sad for Shinzo Abe. Many will remember the global leadership he showed in difficult times,” resigning British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted.
“I extend my sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan for the loss of their longest-serving prime minister and respected politician,” South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said in a statement. statement, condemning an “unacceptable criminal act”.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a day of national mourning on Saturday in his country in honor of Shinzo Abe.
“I am shocked and saddened beyond words by the tragic passing of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe,” he wrote on Twitter. “We stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters at this difficult time.”
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Abe,” reacted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. “I condemn those who perpetrated this heinous attack.”