Police confirm they found several handmade weapons at the suspect’s home
Nara police have claimed that a search of the suspect’s home in Nara has led them to discover several handmade weapons. They say they are similar to the one used in the attacks.
Earlier, local media reported that explosives had been found in the house.
Police have stalled in answering a couple of questions, saying, “There could be implications in the investigation,” and therefore stop their response.
Updated at 13.53 BST
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The UN Secretary-General has also just responded to the death of Shinzo Abe. António Guterres writes on Twitter:
I am deeply saddened by the horrific assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan. I had the privilege of meeting him for years and I will always remember his collegiality and commitment to multilateralism. My condolences to his family, the people and the government of Japan.
I am deeply saddened by the horrific assassination of Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan.
I had the privilege of meeting him for years and I will always remember his collegiality and commitment to multilateralism.
My condolences to his family, the people and the government of Japan.
– António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 8, 2022
Updated at 13.53 BST
Former United States President Barack Obama has issued a statement on the death of Shinzo Abe. He says:
I am shocked and saddened by the murder of my lifelong friend and partner Shinzo Abe in Japan. Former Prime Minister Abe devoted himself both to the country he served and to the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan.
I will always remember the work we did to strengthen our alliance, the emotional experience of traveling together to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed me and Michelle.
Updated at 13.53 BST
Police say they believe the suspect used a train to get to the scene. They could not say how long the suspect had been in the area before the attack took place.
Journalists questioned police about security arrangements for Abe’s visit and defended his provisions.
Police confirm they found several handmade weapons at the suspect’s home
Nara police have claimed that a search of the suspect’s home in Nara has led them to discover several handmade weapons. They say they are similar to the one used in the attacks.
Earlier, local media reported that explosives had been found in the house.
Police have stalled in answering a couple of questions, saying, “There could be implications in the investigation,” and therefore stop their response.
Updated at 13.53 BST
Police have given some details about the dimensions of the weapon used in the attack. They said it was 40 cm long and 20 cm high, but in terms of its weight, police said “we will not be able to answer for the possibility of its detonation.”
Police have been asked to clarify the type of weapon used and have confirmed that it is a homemade weapon. The agent said he “thinks he has a hunting license,” but they are currently investigating.
They were asked to explain why they say the gun is homemade, and say that this is what the suspect said and that it looks like it is homemade.
At the press conference Nara police were asked if the suspect said he intended to kill. Police say they admitted he had fired at the former prime minister. Police say the suspect has not said he is affiliated with any organization.
The police briefing on Abe’s murder begins in Nara
Nara police are giving a live press conference. They say the suspect, after being arrested, said he believed Abe was related to an organization against which he had a grudge, but police say he wants to refrain from making more detailed comments on the matter.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said his country is on Japan’s side at this “dark and sad time”. He tweeted:
Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe. Many will remember his global leadership in unprecedented times. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK is by your side in this dark and sad time.
Lisa O’Carroll
Micheál Martin, a taoiseach from Ireland, said he was “deeply saddened by Abe’s horrific death”.
“He was a strong, committed Democrat, and it’s especially shocking that he was assassinated while engaging in more democratic activities, campaigning before an election.
“Presenting your arguments to an electorate and asking for their vote is at the heart of what we believe as democratic politicians. The attack on former Prime Minister Abe is therefore an attack on democracy itself. It is still more shocking than it has happened in a peace-loving country like Japan.
“My most sincere and sincere condolences are to the people of Japan, whom Abe served with so much commitment and distinction; with Prime Minister Kishida and his colleagues from across the government; and especially with Mr. Abe’s family.
“On this sad occasion, on behalf of the Government and people of Ireland, I convey our deepest condolences and solidarity.”
Updated at 13.35 BST
Here are some of the latest images sent to us from Nara, Japan, where former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was previously shot dead. An makeshift monument has been erected on the site.
A person prays next to the flowers placed at the spot where Shinzo Abe was shot. Photo: Issei Kato / Reuters The press and media watch a man put a bouquet of flowers. Photo: Hiro Komae / APL The scene of the emergency department of Nara Medical University while Chief Hidetada Fukushima answered questions from the media during a previous press conference. Photo: 202921 + 0900 / AP
European Union leaders have joined those around the world offering condolences to Japan over the assassination of Shinzo Abe, with Ursula von der Leyen saying she was a “wonderful person” and a “great Democrat,” and Charles Michel saying “he will never do it.” understand the brutal murder “.
The President of the European Commission said in her message: “A wonderful person, a great Democrat and defender of the multilateral world order, has died. I cry with his family, his friends and all the people of Japan. This brutal and cowardly murder of Shinzo Abe shocks the whole world. “
A wonderful person, a great Democrat and a defender of the multilateral world order, has died.
I cry with his family, his friends and all the people of Japan.
This brutal and cowardly murder of @AbeShinzo shocks the whole world. pic.twitter.com/ztSJnlDsi6
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 8, 2022
The President of the European Council said: “It is with great sorrow that I have learned of the death of Shinzo Abe. I will never understand the brutal murder of this great man. Japan, Europeans are crying with you. My sincerest condolences to the his wife and family. “
I am deeply saddened to learn of @ AbeShinzo’s death
I will never understand the brutal murder of this great man.
Japan, Europeans are crying with you.
My sincerest condolences to his wife and family. https://t.co/AH9JA5s4U0
– Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) July 8, 2022
The Japan Times reports that Sunday’s election for the Upper House will continue as planned, despite the assassination of Shinzo Abe while campaigning in Nara today. It is reported:
Following Friday’s assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe – two days before Sunday’s upper house elections – questions immediately arose as to whether the vote would take place as planned.
Following the shooting, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida instructed his relevant ministers to increase security to ensure that the elections took place fairly. Toshimitsu Motegi, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, told reporters that the election campaign will be held on Saturday “to show that we will not succumb to violence.”
However, Abe’s assassination has affected the election campaign, causing major parties and cabinet ministers to cancel their events.
The LDP ruler, to whom Abe belonged, said on Friday he had canceled the consultation of party executives. LDP ruling coalition partner Komeito, the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and Nippon Ishin no Kai canceled their entire campaign during the day.
Kishida also ordered all ministers to return to Tokyo for a cabinet meeting to share information and discuss the government’s response.
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Updated at 13.12 BST
Shinzo Abe shot dead: what we know so far
- World leaders have paid tribute after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died at the age of 67 after being shot while giving a speech in the western city of Nara.
- Abe, the longest-serving prime minister in the country until he resigned in 2020, was airlifted to hospital after the attack.
- At a press conference at Nara Medical University, doctors at the hospital said Abe had no vital signs when he arrived at the hospital, but that they did resuscitation. “It was extremely serious, it was very serious,” the doctor said of his condition on arrival. He had two neck wounds and one subcutaneous hemorrhage. Abe was confirmed dead at 5:03 p.m.
- In an emotional speech, current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Abe had led the country “with great leadership” and was “losing his words.”
Map showing the location of the Shinzo Abe shooting
- Police arrested a 42-year-old man at the scene. He has been named Tetsuya Yamagami, of Nara. He is a former member of the maritime self-defense …