Japan

Comment: Shinzo Abe’s assassination will scar Japan forever

This act of violence is all the more stunning in a country known for safety

A screen broadcasting the news that Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who has been shot while campaigning in Nara. Abe collapsed after shots were heard while he was campaigning at a rally. A suspect was apprehended and taken into custody, as Abe was rushed to a hospital via helicopter. Picture: Christopher Jue/Getty Images

Japan has been brought to a standstill by the news that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died after being shot this morning on the campaign trail for Sunday’s upper house elections.

A lone gunman attacked Abe, who was pronounced dead at a hospital in Nara from wounds in his chest and neck. This is a tragedy that will have repercussions far beyond this weekend’s voting.

It’s hard to think of a more unexpected place for ...