Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Shot, Rushed to Hospital

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was rushed to the hospital after a possible shooting during his speech in Nara, Japan.

According to the Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that Abe collapsed in Nara, Japan while giving a campaign speech at around 11:30 AM local time for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate as the Upper House election on Sunday draws closer.

Although Abe looked like he had collapsed, the former prime minister appeared to bleed according to an NHK reporter, and was rushed to a hospital in an ambulance.

A Liberal Democratic Party official said that Abe was shot in the chest, with NHK reports adding that Abe was moved to Nara Medical University.

The public broadcaster added that a gun was retrieved at the crime site, and an individual was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Shinzo Abe was the former Liberal Democratic Party leader and was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, he held the position from 2006 to 2007, and again from 2012 to 2020.

Abe resigned from the post in 2020 citing health issues. (GFB)