Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe Confirmed Dead After Shooting

Former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe has been confirmed dead after he was shot on Friday at a campaign event.

The development was confirmed by public broadcaster NHK and the Jiji news agency on Friday morning.

Naija News had earlier shared a video of the moment the former Japan PM was shot by a yet-to-be-identified man.

A man dressed in a grey shirt and brown trousers had approached from behind, before drawing something from a bag and firing.

At least two shots appear to be fired, each producing a cloud of smoke.

The video of the incident shows Abe collapsing on the street, with several security guards running toward him before he was rushed to a hospital.

NHK while confirming his death said, “According to a senior LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) official, former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara region, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67.”

A male suspect has been arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

Abe’s assassination comes despite Japan’s strict gun laws and with campaigning underway ahead of upper house elections on Sunday.