Japan's former PM Shinzo Abe fights for life after being shot in 'chest and neck'
8 July 2022, 06:04 | Updated: 8 July 2022, 08:08
Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe has been left fighting for his life after being shot twice during a campaign speech in an assassination attempt.
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Abe, 67, was shot twice and is reported to have gone into cardiac arrest despite the efforts of paramedics who rushed to his aid.
He was seen bleeding and holding his chest when he collapsed and was airlifted to a hospital.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots in the attack by a gunman armed with what appeared to be a makeshift weapon in Nara in western Japan.
Abe was making an election campaign speech ahead of Sunday's election for the Japanese parliament's upper house.
Police arrested a man at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.
A spokesman for Nara City Fire Department said he was in cardiopulmonary arrest before he was taken to hospital.
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"Former prime minister Abe was shot at around 11:30 am,", chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.
"One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody. The condition of former prime minister Abe is currently unknown.'
"Whatever the reason, such a barbaric act can never be tolerated, and we strongly condemn it."
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US ambassador Rahm Emanuel added: "The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and the people of Japan."
Abe is Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister and held office in 2006 for one year and again from 2012 to 2020, when he was forced to step down due to the ill health.
Despite stepping down as leader, he has worked with other politicians over the ruling Liberal Democratic party.
