Shinzo Abe’s shooting ‘celebrated’ by Chinese nationalists in China: Report

The world was in shock after reports surfaced of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe being shot during his campaign speech on Friday. However, some Chinese nationalists reportedly “celebrated” after the assassination carried out by a 41-year-old.

Abe died after he was rushed to the Nara Medical University Hospital following the shooting incident. Doctors said that Abe had no vital signs when he arrived at the hospital but that they conducted resuscitation.

Also Read | Japan’s former PM Shinzo Abe dies after being shot: State media

“It was extremely serious, it was very grave,” the medic said. He had two wounds in the neck and subcutaneous hemorrhage.

Just after news of the shooting, some Chinese nationals on Weibo started sending him death wishes, according to the Times of India. They also hailed the attacker as a “hero.”

A Twitter handle of Badiucao, a Chinese political cartoonist and rights activist based in Australia, shared screenshots of various Chinese social media accounts that purportedly celebrated the attack on Abe.

“Thank you anti-Japan hero (the attacker) Can I laugh?” one user wrote. Another wrote, “Party Time,” adding that “hope the men has trouble, hope the gun is fine” and “f—— I am so happy.”

The 67-year-old was shot twice while he was giving a stump speech for Kei Sato, a fellow member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and a national election candidate.

Also Read | World leaders react to ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe’s shooting

The second shot hit Abe’s back, which caused the former prime minister to fall to the ground. Abe sustained a gunshot wound to his right neck and left chest. 

Police arrested the suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami. The NHK public broadcaster reported that the suspect did not attempt to flee the scene. He was interrogated at Nara Nishi police station.

The suspect is said to be a former maritime self-defense force member for about three years, until around 2005. According to NHK, he told police that he was frustrated with Abe and intended to kill him.

Abe had been a controversial figure in China for pushing Japan to increase defense spending and revise pacifist aspects of its constitution. There has also been tension between the two nations over Taiwan.

Also Read | Shinzo Abe shooting: A look at the political journey of former Japan PM

Abe had previously warned of the serious security and economic consequences of any Chinese military action against self-ruled Taiwan.

On Friday, China expressed its shock over the attack on Abe.

“We are following the development of the situation, and we hope former prime minister Shinzo Abe will be out of danger and recover soon,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Friday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

“This unexpected incident should not be linked with China-Japan relations,” he said. Zhao was asked about some nationalist voices in China cheering the shooting, to which he replied saying he “won’t comment on the remarks of net users.”