Shinzo Abe has returned to Japan in a hearse

Mother of suspect in Abe killing was a member of Unification Church

Shinzo Abe: frederick Legrand - COMEO/shutterstock.com

The body of Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving prime minister and former president of the liberal democratic party, has returned to Japan in a hearse following his assassination  yesterday. His wife Akie travelled in the hearse and had her head lowered as the vehicle entered the former prime minister’s home in Tokyo. 

During a campaign event in the Western city of Nara ahead of the country’s upcoming elections, the 67 year old former prime minister was shot twice in the neck and died in hospital from the wound on the right side of his neck and left clavicle, as reported by theguardian.com Although he was quickly airlifted from the event to Nara Medical University Department, Abe suffered major damage to his heart and was not breathing in the helicopter. 

Due to Japan’s strict gun laws which prohibit anyone other than members of the police force and military from purchasing a gun, the man who shot Abe from behind during his speech has shocked the nation. Identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, the 41 year old assassin has admitted that the hand held firearm he used to shoot Abe was homemade.

Yamagami had previously been a member of Japan’s navy. He had similar weapons and his personal computer confiscated by police following the shooting and has been arrested on suspicion of murder. 

US President Joe Biden has paid tribute to Abe and attested that his “vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure”. 


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Image - Annie Dabb
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Annie Dabb

From Newcastle originally, Annie is based in Manchester and is a writer for the Euro Weekly News covering news and features. Got a story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com

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