Former Leader DEAD – The World in Shock
(ConservativeHub.com) – A lone gunman shot former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to death on July 8. Abe was speaking ahead of the July 10 elections. The shooting shocked the public as gun and political violence are rare in Japan due to tight firearm control laws.
The Crime and the Criminal
The former prime minister died from gunshots fired into his back as he spoke outside a train station in Nara. The 67-year-old immediately received first aid, and emergency workers took him to the Nara Medical University Hospital, where he received blood transfusions for hours. Medical personnel said he died from blood loss due to his heart and neck wounds.
Security immediately took the 41-year-old suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, into custody, tackling him as he stood on the spot where he shot his homemade weapon, which was about 16 inches long. Officials discovered additional homemade devices when searching his one-room apartment home.
Yamagami was a former Navy member who crafted the weapons from wood and metal and wrapped them in tape. He told officers he had no political motivation. He explained he disapproved of an organization he believed Abe belonged to, but officials didn’t name the group. Media rumors suggest it’s religious.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Abe had strong security protection. Still, he stated there would be a review due to the incident. The Japanese use a process similar to that of the Secret Service to protect their prime ministers. Still, an ABC News article from July 10 suggested that some experts believe they may have lacked practical training.
Memorials and Funeral
The public began a makeshift memorial at the site of the shooting on July 9. People laid flowers at the spot where Abe had fallen.
On July 11, the government held a memorial to the former prime minister. Representatives from nations around the globe attended, including US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako sent flowers and a senior royal official to burn incense at the event. The government awarded Abe the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the highest honor in the country. Japan has only bestowed the tribute on four Prime Ministers. He also received the Junior First Rank of Court.
Abe’s family is holding his funeral on July 12 at the Tokyo temple. The Japanese flag is flying at half staff outside the PM’s office as a mark of respect.
Abe’s Legacy
The former prime minister left a strong legacy. He came from a political family and began his work for the public in 1993. He served as chief cabinet secretary in 2005 and became prime minister for the first time in 2006, but he stepped down due to medical concerns. Abe returned to the position in 2012 and remained in office until 2020 when he again left due to his health.
People knew Abe for his vision of a free Indo-Pacific. He also helped put Japan on the global stage and made strong allies while building international relations. He was responsible for Abenomics, which aimed to strengthen and grow the Japanese economy. He was also a strong advocate for human rights in the nation.
The public and leaders worldwide have expressed how much they will miss the former leader. Within minutes of the announcement of his death, tributes began popping up all over social media, with everyone from the current Japanese PM to former President Donald Trump speaking of the outrage they felt that this could happen to someone so influential.
Copyright 2022, ConservativeHub.com
