United States President Joe Biden expressed outrage at the fatal shooting of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe on Friday (Jul 8), calling him a champion of the US-Japan alliance who cared deeply about the Japanese people and democracy.
“I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning. This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him,” Biden said in a statement.
“Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mourned the former prime minister as a visionary leader who boosted relations between the two allies.
Meeting his Japanese and South Korean counterparts jointly at a G20 meeting in Bali, Blinken called Abe “a leader with great vision” who “brought the relationship between our countries, the United States and Japan, to new heights”.
Japan’s longest-serving leader died on Friday after being shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election.
Abe, who sought to lift the economy out of chronic deflation with his bold “Abenomics” policies, beef up the military and counter China’s growing clout, died at 67.
Here are some reactions so far from around the world:
CHINA
The Chinese embassy in Japan expressed condolences over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday in a shooting attack.
“Former Prime Minister Abe made contributions towards improving China-Japan relations during his term. We express our condolences on his death and send our sympathies to his family,” an embassy spokesman said on the embassy website.
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MARIO DRAGHI
“Italy is shocked by this terrible attack, which hits Japan and free democratic debate. Abe was a great protagonist of Japanese and international political life in recent decades, thanks to his innovative spirit and his reforming vision. Italy sends its condolences to his family, to the government and to the entire Japanese people.”
TAIWAN PRESIDENT TSAI ING-WEN
“Not only has the international community lost an important leader, but Taiwan has also lost an important and close friend. Taiwan and Japan are both democratic countries with the rule of law, and our government severely condemns violent and illegal acts,” Tsai said in a statement released by her office.
SOUTH KOREA PRESIDENT YOON SUK-YEOL
“I send my condolences to the bereaved families and Japanese people who have lost the longest-serving prime minister and respected politician in Japan’s constitutional history,” Yoon was quoted as saying in a statement delivered by the presidential office.
Yoon added that the shooting was “an unforgivable act of crime”.
POLISH PRIME MINISTER MATEUSZ MORAWIECKI
“I am deeply shocked by the news of the assassination of @AbeShinzo,” he wrote on Twitter. “My thoughts are with the family of our Japanese friend who was always very kind to Poland. May he Rest In Peace.”
UK PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON
“Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe,” Johnson said on Twitter. “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.”
“The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.”
INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY CHIEF RAFAEL GROSSI
“Deeply saddened by the tragic death of Japanese Former Prime Minister @AbeShinzo. I was honoured to meet him and work with him on important issues for Japan. My condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.”
