Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, died after being shot twice on Friday while giving an election campaign speech.

He was shot in the chest and near the neck by a man who approached him from behind as he spoke in the city of Nara, according to witnesses, authorities and video footage.

Mr. Abe, who was 67 years old, was prime minister until late 2020 and was one of Japan’s best known but polarizing politicians. He was the de facto leader of the largest faction in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and wielded strong influence in the government despite standing down as prime minister in September 2020.

The attack happened while he was campaigning for the party’s candidates in a national election of the upper house of the Diet on Sunday.

Source : https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/shinzo-abe-japan-shot