World leaders paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, after he was fatally shot whereas campaigning for his political allies Friday morning.
Read More: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Has Been Shot and Killed. What We Know So Far
A teary-eyed Fumio Kishida, Japan’s present prime minister, condemned the assassination when he appeared earlier than Japanese reporters following information of Abe’s demise. Kishida described Abe as a “personal friend” with whom he spent loads of time.
Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, pal of Abe’s, announced that July 9 shall be a nationwide day of mourning in India as a mark of “deep respect” for the late Japanese chief. Modi recalled how he visited Abe in his most up-to-date journey to Japan, noting that he didn’t anticipate that that assembly could be their final.
Abe had made large strides to enhance diplomatic ties between Japan and India throughout his tenure, together with the signing of a historic civil nuclear deal in 2016.
In a statement, U.S. President Joe Biden stated he was “stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened” by the information. “The longest serving Japanese Prime Minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure.” Abe fostered strong ties with Washington in his near-decade lengthy rule.
European leaders together with German chancellor Olaf Scholz and French president Emmanuel Macron additionally shared their condolences. “We stand closely by Japan’s side in these difficult hours,” Scholz tweeted. “Japan has lost a great prime minister,” Macron said.
European Council President Charles Michel decried the “cowardly” assault on Abe, whom he referred to as “a true friend” and a “fierce defender of multilateral order and democratic values.” The European Union is a significant commerce and funding accomplice of Japan.
In a press release, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated Abe was one of Australia’s “closest friends on the world stage.” During his first time period in 2007, Abe initiated a four-way alliance between Japan, India, the U.S., and Australia that facilitated safety and financial cooperation.
Outgoing U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that Abe’s “global leadership” shall be remembered. “The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time,” he stated.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg despatched his “deepest condolences” to Abe’s household and to Kishida in a tweet. While Japan isn’t a NATO member, Abe paved the way for a stronger partnership with the transatlantic alliance.
A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Japan expressed shock about Abe’s assassination in a statement and prolonged condolences to his household. During his premiership, Abe tried to enhance relations between Japan and China, however his feedback final yr about Taiwan’s independence drew criticism from Beijing.
The president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-Wen, stated in a press release that “the international community lost an important leader, but Taiwan has also lost an important and close friend. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with the rule of law, and our government severely condemns violent and illegal acts.”
South Korean president Yoon Suk-Yeol despatched his condolences to the Japanese individuals, condemning the capturing as “an unforgivable act of crime.”
Abe grew to become Japan’s longest-serving prime minister earlier than stepping down in 2020 due to sick well being. However, he has remained to be one of probably the most influential political figures in modern Japan.
On the streets of Tokyo, locals expressed disbelief. “The shooting of a prominent figure like Shinzo Abe, longest-serving prime minister in Japan, is profoundly shocking,” Kanae Hayakawa, a 36-year-old workplace employee, informed TIME. “And now I’m afraid—the fact that such incident took place here in Japan reflects social instability and people’s discontent with society. I really hope the shooting incident will not trigger further instability here. And I also wonder how the incident will impact the election on Sunday.”
— With reporting by Mayako Shibata in Tokyo and Eloise Barry in London
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