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Japan's Ex-PM Abe Shot, Collapses at Speech in Western Japan: Reports

by William Gallo

   SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA --

   Shinzo Abe, Japan's influential former prime minister, collapsed and
   fell unconscious after being shot in the chest during a campaign speech
   Friday ahead of Sunday's upper house election, local media reported.

   Abe was speaking at a train station in the city of Nara, just east of
   Osaka, when he was approached from behind by a man with what appeared
   to be a shotgun, according to multiple Japanese media reports.

   Following two apparent gunshots, Abe fell to the ground and was
   unconscious and bleeding. He was taken to the hospital, where local
   media say he was experiencing cardiac arrest.

   Videos posted on social media appeared to show bystanders scrambling to
   help Abe, who was lying on the ground motionless.

   Japan's NHK broadcaster said that the alleged shooter has been
   detained.

   News of the shooting rattled Japan, which has some of the world's
   strictest gun laws and sees very little gun violence.

   Abe is Japan's longest-serving prime minister. He stepped down in
   August 2020, but has remained active in politics. He remains an
   influential voice in the country's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.