WWorld leaders paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after he was shot dead while campaigning for his political allies on Friday morning.
Read more: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead. What we know so far
Fumio Kishida, Japan’s current prime minister, condemned the assassination when he appeared before Japanese journalists following news of Abe’s death. Kishida described Abe as a “personal friend” with whom he spent a lot of time.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a good friend of Abe. Announce July 9 will be a day of national mourning in India as a sign of “deep respect” for the late Japanese leader. Modi recalled how he visited Abe on his last trip to Japan, noting that he did not expect this meeting to be their last.
Abe has made great strides to improve diplomatic relations between Japan and India during his tenure, including signing an agreement The historic civil nuclear agreement in 2016.
In a statementUS President Joe Biden said that he was “stunned, angry, and deeply saddened” by this news. “Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, his vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific will continue.” Abby looked after Strong relationships With Washington during his rule, which lasted nearly a decade.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, also shared their condolences. “We stand closely with Japan in these difficult hours,” Schulz said. chirp. “Japan has lost a great prime minister,” Macron said. He said.
European Council President Charles Michel denounced the “cowardly” attack on Abe, describing him as a “true friend” and “a fierce defender of the multilateral system and democratic values.” The European Union is a major trade and investment partner of Japan.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that Abe was one of Australia’s “closest friends on the world stage.” During his first term in 2007, Abe initiated the Quad Alliance between Japan, India, the United States, and Australia, an alliance that facilitated security and economic cooperation.
Outgoing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted that Abe’s “global leadership” will be remembered. “The United Kingdom stands with you at this dark and sad time,” he said.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sent on Twitter his “deep condolences” to the Abe and Kishida family. While Japan is not a member of NATO, Abe Paved the way for stronger Partnership with NATO.
A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Japan expressed shock over Abe’s assassination In a statement He offered his condolences to his family. During his prime ministership, Abe tried to improve relations between Japan and China, but his comments last year about this Taiwan independence It sparked criticism from Beijing.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said in a statement: “The international community has lost an important leader, but Taiwan has also lost an important and close friend. Taiwan and Japan are democratic countries with the rule of law, and our government strongly condemns violent and unlawful acts.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yul sent his condolences to the Japanese people, condemning the shooting and calling it an “unforgivable criminal act.”
Abe became Japan’s longest-serving prime minister before stepping down in 2020 due to ill health. However, he remained one of the most influential political figures in contemporary Japan.
On the streets of Tokyo, locals expressed their disbelief. “The shooting of a prominent figure like Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, is very shocking,” Kanae Hayakawa, a 36-year-old office worker, told TIME. “Now I am afraid that such an incident occurring here in Japan reflects social instability and people’s dissatisfaction with society. I really hope that the shooting incident will not lead to further instability here. I also wonder how the incident will affect election Sunday.”
— With reporting by Mayako Shibata in Tokyo and Eloise Barry in London