Australia and New Zealand have condemned the attack on former Japanese President Shinzo Abe

Sydney (Australia), July 8. Australia and New Zealand have condemned the attack on Friday of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot in the back and is in critical condition while giving a street speech in the southwestern Japanese city of Nara.

“The news of the shooting death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is shocking – our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time,” Australian President Anthony Albanese said on Twitter.

For her part, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her “shock” at the attack on Abe, recalling that the Japanese conservative politician was one of the first world leaders she met when she took over the reins of Wellington’s administration. .

Ardern said on Twitter that Abe, the leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was “deeply committed to his role, yet generous and kind”.

“Events like this shake us all to the core,” he asserted.

Japanese police have arrested Tetsuya Yamagami, a former member of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces (Japan’s military), believed to be the aggressor of the attack, which took place in broad daylight as Abe delivered a speech to the House of Representatives ahead of a midterm election. This Sunday’s meal (Japan Parliament). EFE

Watt/NC/Jack