Live Updates: Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shot during speech in Nara
Former Japan PM Shinzo AbePool/Getty Images
- Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe collapsed during a political speech in Nara on Friday.
- US ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, confirmed on Twitter that Abe was shot.
Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe shot
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during his press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo on August 28, 2020. Frank Robichon/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe collapsed while making a speech in the city of Nara, around one hour from Kyoto, according to local media reports.
Japanese news outlet NHK reported that Abe was seen falling to the ground bleeding at around 11.30 a.m. local time. NHK reported that its reporter heard a gunshot going off in the vicinity while Abe was speaking.
The former prime minister appeared to be showing no vital signs after the attack, Kyodo News reported, citing information from the Japanese authorities.
NHK shared what appeared to be a video of the scene, which showed chaos and smoke, and what looked to be people surrounding a prone Abe.
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