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

Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while attending a political event in the western city of Nara. Fumio Kishida, the current Japanese PM, said that Abe is in a critical condition and doctors are “fighting to save” his life.

A variety of political figures and world leaders were quick to condemn the attempt on Abe’s life. These included Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-Wen and more.

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Indian PM Modi wrote, “Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan.”

Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, addressed the situation before meeting his Indonesian counterpart on Friday. He said, “I do have to say before we meet how deeply saddened and deeply concerned we are by the news coming from Japan about the attempt on the life of Prime Minister Abe. We don’t know his condition, we do know he’s been shot and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family, with the people of Japan.”

Former US President Donald Trump also reacted to the shooting on Friday and said that Abe “was a true friend.” He added, “This is a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan, who loved and admired him so much. We are all praying for Shinzo and his beautiful family!”

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote in a social media post, “Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot – our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time.”

Mikhail Galuzin, the Russian Ambassador to Japan, said in a statement, “We pray for the health of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. We strongly condemn the barbaric attempt on his life.”