Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Abe assassination 'shocking': Trudeau

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 08 Jul, 2022 10:18 AM
  • Abe assassination 'shocking': Trudeau

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is "shocking," and that Canada has "lost a close friend" with his death.

Abe was assassinated Friday on a street in western Japan by a gunman who opened fire on him from behind as he delivered a campaign speech — an attack that stunned the country that has some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere.

The 67-year-old Abe, who was Japan’s longest-serving leader when he resigned in 2020, collapsed bleeding and was airlifted to a nearby hospital in Nara, although he was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead after receiving massive blood transfusions, officials said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, attending the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia, said she expressed Canada's condolences to Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

"We are saddened and horrified by the recent news coming from Japan," she said.

In a statement released by the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "stunned, outraged and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former prime minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning."

"Above all, [Abe] cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy. While there are many details that we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable and that gun violence always leaves a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it. The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief. I send my deepest condolences to his family."

Nara Medical University emergency department chief Hidetada Fukushima said Abe suffered major damage to his heart, along with two neck wounds that damaged an artery. He never regained his vital signs, Fukushima said.

Prefectural police in Nara arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of the attack and identified him as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a former member of Japan's navy. Broadcaster NHK reported that he said he wanted to kill Abe because he had complaints about him unrelated to politics.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Cabinet ministers returned to Tokyo from campaign events around the country after the shooting, which he called “dastardly and barbaric." He pledged that the election, which chooses members for Japan's less-powerful upper house of parliament, would go on as planned.

“I use the harshest words to condemn (the act),” Kishida said, struggling to control his emotions. He said the government planned to review the security situation, but added that Abe had the highest protection.

Even though he was out of office, Abe was still highly influential in the governing Liberal Democratic Party and headed its largest faction, Seiwakai.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was “deeply shocked.”

“He was one of the first leaders I formally met when I became Prime Minister. He was deeply committed to his role, and also generous and kind. I recall him asking after the recent loss of our pet when I met him, a small gesture but one that speaks to the kind of person he is," Ardern said. "My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us all to the core.”

Asian leaders were also stunned.

“Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong slammed it as a “senseless act of violence."

“Mr. Abe is a good friend of Singapore. I had just hosted him to lunch in May, on my visit to Tokyo. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Abe and his family," Lee said on Facebook.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said he learned the news with great shock and dismay. “I extend my deep sympathy and pray for his early recovery,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Instagram. 

MORE National ARTICLES

3 Vancouver Island men charged for running a cryptocurrency-funded dark web drug trafficking ring

3 Vancouver Island men charged for running a cryptocurrency-funded dark web drug trafficking ring
The RCMP's organized crime division describes the dark web as the internet’s "third hidden layer," below the open web and deep web, and says it is accessed through special browsers that hide the digital footprint of users.

3 Vancouver Island men charged for running a cryptocurrency-funded dark web drug trafficking ring

Hot and stormy summer expected: Weather Network

Hot and stormy summer expected: Weather Network
The westernmost province is expected to gradually emerge from a cool spring and into near-normal temperatures starting in June, which he says will drag out the snow melt and slow the start of wildfire season.    

Hot and stormy summer expected: Weather Network

COVID border measures to stay until June 30

COVID border measures to stay until June 30
Several pandemic restrictions are in place at Canadian airports and land borders, including vaccine mandates, random COVID-19 tests and the requirement that international travellers answer pandemic-related questions on the ArriveCan app.

COVID border measures to stay until June 30

Canada to make 'important' overdose announcement

Canada to make 'important' overdose announcement
The announcement is expected to be related to B.C.'s application for an exemption from Canada's drug laws to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use by those aged 19 and up.    

Canada to make 'important' overdose announcement

Surrey council meeting halted by chanting crowd

Surrey council meeting halted by chanting crowd
A social media post from Coun. Jack Hundial says he opened the meeting with a motion asking Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum to immediately step aside because court documents raise questions about McCallum's statements to police regarding an alleged assault.    

Surrey council meeting halted by chanting crowd

Feds propose national handgun freeze

Feds propose national handgun freeze
The measure does not ban handguns outright, allowing current owners to continue to possess and use them, but seeks to cap the number already in Canada.

Feds propose national handgun freeze