Japanese Prime Minister: Mr. Abe is in critical condition

"Emergency treatment measures have been applied, doctors are fighting for his life," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said at a press conference in Tokyo today, referring to Mr. Shinzo Abe, who was shot while campaigning in Nara city, Nara prefecture, western Japan.

"I was informed that his condition is critical. I pray that former Prime Minister Abe will recover," Prime Minister Kishida said, adding that authorities would take appropriate measures to handle the situation, stressing that the shooting was "an intolerable act".

A senior Liberal Democratic Party official said former Prime Minister Abe was receiving a blood transfusion and his condition was "worrying".

Former Prime Minister Abe was taken by helicopter for emergency treatment on the morning of July 8. Photo:AFP.

According to the reporter of the newspaperAsahi Shimbun,The suspect stood about 5 meters away from former Prime Minister Abe and fired two shots at him. After being shot, Mr. Abe fell to the street, bleeding profusely from his chest.

He was airlifted to Nara Medical University Hospital for emergency treatment. Japanese media reported that Abe initially regained consciousness on the helicopter but then fell into a coma.

The suspect who shot Mr. Abe was identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, a former soldier of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The weapon Yamagami used was likely a homemade hunting rifle.

The suspect's motive is unknown, but the stationNHKYamagami told police he was "dissatisfied" with former Prime Minister Abe and "intended to kill him," the report said.

Former Prime Minister Abe, 67, was Japan's longest-serving leader, elected in 2006 but had to resign in September 2007 due to chronic ulcerative colitis. He ran again and became prime minister from 2012 until he resigned in August 2020 due to his old illness.