Shinzo Abe, Japan’s former Prime Minister, was assassinated during an election speech in Nara city. A man in his forties dressed in a gray T-shirt and beige trousers approached Abe from behind as he spoke to the public near Yamato-Saidaiji Station. Two shots were then heard, and Abe collapsed to the ground after the second shot. Abe, who was reportedly shot in the chest, was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. While the police detained the suspect, who did not make an effort to escape, on suspicion of attempted murder, the weapon used in the attack was also seized in the scene.

Due to health issues, Abe had announced his resignation as Prime Minister on August 28, 2020. In 2019, Abe became Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, having served for 2,887 days in the office. Abe, who was still active in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) after leaving office as Prime Minister, was in Nara today to support an LDP candidate running in the upper house elections on Sunday.