Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020. 9News
Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020.The 67-year-old was shot during a campaign speech on Friday, in an incident that is rare in the island country.Albanese sent "our deepest sympathies and condolences to Mrs Abe and to Mr Abe's family and friends, and to the people of Japan" on behalf of Australia."Mr Abe was one of Australia's closest friends on the world stage," Albanese said in a statement.
Governor General David Hurley expressed his "deep sadness at the passing in tragic circumstances" of the former Japanese Prime Minister. "This is a dreadful loss for Japan, for Australia and for a world where democracies stand strong and together." South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called the shooting "an intolerable criminal act," his office said.
"My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe," Her Majesty said in a statement issue by Buckingham Palace. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted his "deepest condolences to his family and the people of Japan at this difficult time."Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a personal letter of condolences to Abe's family on Friday, calling him "an outstanding statesman"
Abe was a close ally to US Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump. His relationship with Trump was especially notable given the Republican President's attempt to warm relations with North Korea, and the generally chilly reception he received by other world leaders. "I will always remember the work we did to strengthen our alliance, the moving experience of traveling to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor together, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed to me and Michelle."
"We are following the developments, and we hope former Prime Minister Abe will be out of danger and recover soon. We certainly would like to send our regards to his family," ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a news conference on Friday afternoon. Israel's President Isaac Herzog also released a statement, saying he was "horrified by the despicable murder of Shinzo Abe, one of Japan's most preeminent leaders in modern times."
Taiwan's government said "Abe spared no effort to push for the progress of Taiwan-Japan relations for many years," noting his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic for the Japanese government to donate vaccines to Taiwan.
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