SHINZO Abe is a Japanese politician who served many terms as Prime Minister.
Abe also served as Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party.
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Who is Shinzo Abe?
Abe was born on September 21, 1954 in Tokyo.
He comes from a political family, with his grandfather and great-uncle both having served as Prime Minister.
His father was also a politician and served as Japan’s foreign minister.
The 67-year-old served as Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.
Abe is the longest serving Prime Minister in Japanese history.
He resigned in 2020, citing health reasons related to recurrent bowel disease.
“I don’t want to make mistakes in important political decisions,” Abe told reporters at the time.
“I’ve decided not to continue sitting in this chair until I can’t confidently respond to everyone’s mandate.”
Abe is married to Akie Abe.
What happened at the campaign event in Nara?
Abe was speaking at a campaign event in Nara around 11:30 a.m. local time when he was allegedly shot from behind.
Two shots are said to have been fired, creating clouds of white smoke.
Abe collapsed after the second shot was fired, according to reports.
He was taken to hospital after the incident and is said to be fighting for his life.
Local Japanese media outlets reported that Abe did not have any vital signs.
One suspect – believed to be a man in his 40s – was quickly arrested by police.
The campaign event is in preparation for the upper house elections on July 10.
Who is the current Prime Minister of Japan?
Fumio Kishida becomes Prime Minister of Japan in 2021.
He succeeded Yoshihide Suga, who served for a year.
Kishisa previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012 to 2017, and then Acting Secretary of Defense in 2017.
He has a wife and three sons.
