NICOLA Sturgeon has joined an outpouring of tributes from across the world to former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe, who died after being shot during a campaign speech.
Abe was shot from behind minutes after he started his speech on Friday in Nara in western Japan.
He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. The 67-year-old was pronounced dead later at the hospital.
Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020.
Police arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of the attack, which shocked people in a country known as one of the world’s safest.
Responding to the news, the First Minister wrote: “Shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible news.
“My condolences – and those of @scotgov – are with Shinzo Abe’s family and the people of Japan.”
Shocked and deeply saddened by this terrible news. My condolences - and those of @scotgov - are with Shinzo Abe’s family and the people of Japan. https://t.co/Wl9gN6wdQl
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) July 8, 2022
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf added: “Devastating news, political violence in any form, anywhere in world must be condemned in strongest possible terms.
“My thoughts v much with family of former PM Abe, the people of Japan and our own Scottish-Japanese community who will be rocked by this senseless act of violence.”
Labour leaders also offered condolences, with Keir Starmer calling it a “truly dark day”.
The party’s deputy leader, Angela Rayner, wrote: “This news is beyond tragic. Our hearts are with the family of Shinzo Abe and the Japanese people today. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”
Interim prime minister Boris Johnson wrote: "Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe.
"His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.
"The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time."
Indian premier Narendra Modi called Abe a "towering global statesman".
I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
He wrote: "I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place."
Prominent Belgian MEP Guy Verhofstadt said the murder was a "horrible attack on democracy".
"A massive figure of Japanese and Asian politics slain," he added. "Abe’s strategic foresight and ambition will long be remembered."
Shinzo Abe’s life:
Born into a prominent political family, Shinzo Abe was the country’s longest-serving prime minister.
While credited with bringing a degree of stability to Japan following a period of economic malaise, Abe angered neighbours South Korea and China – along with many Japanese people – with his nationalistic rhetoric and calls to revise the country’s pacifist constitution.
Here is a look at some key dates in Abe’s life and career:
September 21 1954: Abe is born in Tokyo, the son of Shintaro Abe, who served as Japan’s foreign minister, and grandson of Nobusuke Kishi, a former prime minister.
1977: Graduates from Seikei University in Tokyo with a degree in political science, after which he moves to the US to study public policy at the University of Southern California for three semesters.
1979: Begins working at Kobe Steel as the firm was expanding its presence abroad.
1982: Leaves the company to pursue new positions at the foreign ministry and with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
1993: First elected as a LDP legislator representing the south-western prefecture of Yamaguchi. Abe, already viewed as a conservative, is a member of the party’s Mori faction that had once been headed by his father, who died in 1991.
2005: Abe is appointed chief cabinet secretary under then-prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, during which he leads negotiations to return Japanese citizens abducted to North Korea. The same year, he is elected head of the LDP, putting him in line to take over as prime minister.
September 26 2006: He becomes Japan’s prime minister for the first time, overseeing economic reforms while taking a hard line on North Korea and seeking to engage with South Korea and China.
2007: Following electoral defeats that saw the LDP lose control of the legislature for the first time in 52 years, Abe resigns as prime minister, citing health reasons. He has been suffering from ulcerative colitis but was able to control it with medication.
2012: After again being elected LDP president, Abe becomes prime minister for the second time.
2013: Seeking to boost growth, Abe launches his “Abenomics” policies featuring easy lending and structural reforms. Japan’s relations with China undergo a particularly rough patch but begin to improve after Abe meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Beijing.
2014-2020: Re-elected LDP leader, he serves two additional terms as prime minister for a total of four, during which he develops close relations with then-US president Donald Trump, holding summits and playing golf together.
2016: Abe is watched by millions around the world as he arrives at the Rio Olympics dressed as beloved Japanese video game character Mario.
RIP Mr Shinzo Abe. This is 1 of the best moment that i like from Mr. Shinzo Abe. pic.twitter.com/PP6yOjM5g5
— NdrewsTjan®️ (@NdrewsTjan) July 8, 2022
August 28 2020: Announces he will step down as prime minister, again citing health reasons, after his ulcerative colitis flares up again. By that point, Abe had already become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister.
2021: Despite leaving office, Abe shows he can still rile Beijing with comments on Taiwan, the self-governing island China claims as its own territory and threatens to attack. In a speech, Abe warned that “military adventure would lead to economic suicide”.
July 8 2022: Abe is shot and fatally wounded during a campaign event in the city of Nara. Police arrest a male suspect but no motive was immediately known.
