News spread quickly as reports came in that former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, was shot during a political speech.
utterly shocking news from tokyo, one of the last places in the world you expect to see this sort of political violence https://t.co/NmmSGshTzi
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) July 8, 2022
The shooting actually took place in Nara, Japan and a suspect was immediately taken into custody and identified by the media.
#BreakingNews | Japanese Media Reports say Abe's shooter has been identified as Yamagami Tetsuya. He's in his 40s and a local resident of Nara prefecture. #NewsX #ShinzoAbe #Japan pic.twitter.com/4YiYlLsZNF
— NewsX (@NewsX) July 8, 2022
Shinzo Abe has unfortunately since passed.
Shinzo Abe, Japan's former prime minister, died after he was shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election https://t.co/7MZuP7Vn24 pic.twitter.com/7TtpzDu6Y4
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 8, 2022
As news developed, many remarked upon the rarity of gun violence in Japan, where strict gun control is in place.
Gunshot deaths are in the single digits annually in the recent past in Japan, which is why this attack on the former PM Shinzo Abe is so shocking — the suspect was apprehended. Still no official confirmation of Abe’s death. He is in a hospital. pic.twitter.com/aaWxIx4UEP
— Ahmed Eldin | أحمد شهاب الدين (@ASE) July 8, 2022
It is really shocking that in Japan, a country known for its peaceful people and strict gun control, a leader like #ShinzoAbe is shot in broad daylight. Prayers for him.
— Shefali Vaidya. 🇮🇳 (@ShefVaidya) July 8, 2022
As is typical in the responses following all shootings, political statements on the effectiveness of gun control quickly emerged in the wake of tragedy and chaos.
The impact of an evil doer will be felt regardless of gun laws or restrictions. Tonight in Japan a great man was shot despite having some of the strictest gun control in the world. Tragically, evil always finds a way. Shinzo Abe is in our prayers and we are hoping for good news. https://t.co/nyI60LoIto
— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) July 8, 2022
Gun control does work. Just compare the statistics. The US has no gun control thanks to the GOP and the NRA. As a result, has become one of, if not the most dangerous country to live in. Y'all need to get out there and vote Blue! 🌊🌊🌊
— Wade Edwards 💉x 4 😷🇨🇦 (@G_WadeEdwards) July 7, 2022
Others remarked on the potential political implications of an attempted assassination on the former PM.
https://twitter.com/NicholsUprising/status/1545254182495608833?s=20&t=f9aJB-iOdB6dX1wTijZS8g
My heart goes out to my Japanese friends & everyone affected by the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
No matter where you lean politically, his death is a huge tragedy & marks one of the biggest political incidents in Japan since WWII. https://t.co/lsG9vEL5JI
— Christina Qi (@christinaqi) July 8, 2022
There were some reports that Chinese nationalists were allegedly celebrating the news of the shooting.
Chinese nationalists on Weibo have began to celebrate that Japan’s ex PM Abe is shot during campaign today.
they call the attacker “hero” and send death wish to Abe
photo credit @MachineGun____ #TheGreatTranslationMovement #大翻译运动 pic.twitter.com/K4cxtQd0pi
— 巴丢草 Badiucao (@badiucao) July 8, 2022
Most public responses, however, expressed sadness and compassion for the former PM. Shinzo Abe was known as a respected US ally.
This is horrendously shocking news about former Japan PM Shinzo Abe. He was an outspoken leader for freedom and opposed the Regime.
— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) July 8, 2022
Thoughts and prayers to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was just shot in an assassination attempt.
Abe was a loyal ally to the U.S., and fiercely defended the idea of national sovereignty.
He's the guy to the right of Merkel with his arms crossed.
Total legend. pic.twitter.com/3UYKnqv7ub
— Jordan Schachtel @ dossier.substack.com (@JordanSchachtel) July 8, 2022
The assassination of former Japanese PM, Shinzo Abe is a shocking development in an era where the world has been on a prolonged cycle of anything but “normal” news.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member