The Queen has shared
a statement following the murder of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Prime Minister Abe, was shot twice while giving a campaign speech in the city
of Nara on Friday morning.
She said: “My family and
I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of
former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. I have fond memories of meeting Mr. Abe and
his wife during their visit to the United Kingdom in 2016. His love for Japan,
and his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom, were
clear.”
She
signed off: “Elizabeth R.”
The 67-year-old politician was
pronounced dead later that day after having been rushed to hospital. One man,
41, has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami,
admitted to shooting the former Prime Minister. and said he had a grudge against a
“specific organization”, police said.
Explosives were also found at
the suspect’s home and police said they had advised residents to evacuate the
area.
“He was a champion of the
Alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people,” said
US President Biden on the news. The longest-serving Japanese Prime Minister,
his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure. Above all, he cared
deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even
at the moment, he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.”
