Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reportedly shot – POLITICO

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while delivering a speech in the western city of Nara, according to local media and videos posted on social media.

Japanese broadcaster NHK said Abe collapsed while delivering a campaign speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate around 11:30 a.m. local time ahead of an upper house election this weekend. Police said Abe appeared to have been shot from behind with a shotgun, according to NHK. POLITICO could not verify videos posted on social media purporting to show the incident.

Former Tokyo Governor Yoichi Masuzoe said in a Tweeter that Abe was in “cardiopulmonary arrest.”

Abe, 67, was rushed to hospital but appears to be showing no vital signs, local firefighters told NHK. A reporter for the broadcaster said she heard what sounded like two gunshots and saw Abe bleeding.

According to NHK, a male suspect was arrested at the scene.

Abe, a familiar figure on the world stage, was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister until his resignation in 2020, citing health concerns.

This story is developing.