Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe passes away after being shot

NEW DELHI: Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been confirmed dead after he was shot at a campaign event on Friday, local media reported on Friday.

"According to a senior LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) official, former PM Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara region, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67," NHK said.


Abe was delivering a stump speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was shot by an assailant.

A fire department official said earlier that Abe appeared to be in a state of cardiac arrest when airlifted to hospital.


Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested. NHK quoted the suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, as telling the police that he was "dissatisfied" with Abe and wanted to kill him.

(With inputs from agencies)