Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has died, after he was shot on Friday in the western Japanese city of Nara.

Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida described the assassination of his predecessor Shinzo Abe as an “unforgivable act”

Abe served as prime minister from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020, was shot twice on Friday morning while giving a speech in the city of Nara in western Japan, where he was campaigning for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of Sunday’s legislative elections.

Different Leaders around the world have continued to pay their tributes.

The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth said she was “deeply saddened” by the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.

“My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,” said the 96-year-old monarch.

“I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time.”

US President Joe Biden has said he is “stunned” and deeply saddened by the killing of the former prime minister of Japan, Abe Shinzo.

“This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him. I had the privilege to work closely with Prime Minister Abe. As Vice President, I visited him in Tokyo and welcomed him to Washington,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta also joined fellow world leaders in mourning.

“It is utter shocking and somewhat unbelievable to learn of the death of my friend, and one of Kenya’s foremost development ally, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a savage shooting incident,” President Kenyatta mourned.

[ADDITIONAL INPUT : NEWS AGENCIES]