Special Coverage

‘Tragic, Devastating’: World Leaders React to Shinzo Abe’s Death

Messages of shock and grief are coming in from heads of government, remembering the former prime minister of Japan as a “towering global statesman.”

Published

2 years ago

July 8, 2022

JAPAN Forward

On July 8, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated by a gunman at a political rally. The suspect is currently Tetsuya Yamagami, 41-years-old.

The world is already reacting to the news, with tweets from international leaders from the United States, Ukraine, India, New Zealand, Australia, among other countries.

The White House issued the following statement by US President Joe Biden:

“I had the privilege to work closely with Prime Minister Abe. As Vice President, I visited him in Tokyo and welcomed him to Washington. He was a champion of the Alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people.”

Continuing, he said: “The longest serving Japanese Prime Minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure. Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.”

Concluding, the statement read: ”While there are many details that we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable and that gun violence always leaves a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it. The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief. I send my deepest condolences to his family.”

I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022

So deeply shocked to hear about the past PM of Japan-Shinzo Abe. He was one of the first leaders I met when I became PM. He was deeply committed to his role but also generous & kind. My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us all to the core.— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) July 8, 2022

A wonderful person, great democrat and champion of the multilateral world order has passed away.

I mourn with his family, his friends and all the people of Japan.

This brutal and cowardly murder of @AbeShinzo shocks the whole world. pic.twitter.com/ztSJnlDsi6— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 8, 2022

Shocked and saddened by the tragic death of former Japanese PM Abe Shinzo. He was a great friend and ally to Australia. Deepest sympathies to his family and the people of Japan. We mourn with you. pic.twitter.com/ms9Va9OPN4— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022

.@KarenPence and I were deeply troubled to learn of the shooting of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe-san was a remarkable leader of Japan and an unshakeable ally of the U.S. We join millions praying for this truly good man and his family. God bless Shinzo Abe pic.twitter.com/ojTYkOZxe8— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) July 8, 2022

Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe.

My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022

Profondément choqué par l’attaque odieuse dont Shinzo Abe a été victime. Pensées à la famille et aux proches d’un grand Premier ministre. La France se tient aux côtés du peuple japonais.— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 8, 2022

(1/3) It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of former PM ABE Shinzo. We express our deepest condolences to the Japanese government and people on his tragic death. We send our most heartfelt sympathy to Mme Akie Abe and their family.— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) July 8, 2022

Steffen Hebestreit, spokesman of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, said:

“It is with disbelief and deep sadness that we received the news...The Chancellor sends his condolences to Prime Minister F. K. Our thoughts are with the family of Shinzo Abe and with our Japanese friends. Even in this difficult hour we stand with the people of Japan.”

#Italian Prime Minister Draghi expresses condolences on the death of Shinzo Abe. Italy is shocked by the terrible attack, affecting Japan and its free democratic debate. Read the full message 👇 https://t.co/C406UGDNo5— Italy in US (@ItalyinUS) July 8, 2022

The assassination of @AbeShinzo leaves me shocked and deeply saddened. My deepest sympathy goes to his family, my colleague Fumio @kishida230 and our Japanese friends. We stand closely by Japan's side in these difficult hours.— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) July 8, 2022

Deeply saddened by the heinous killing of Shinzo Abe, a defender of democracy and my friend & colleague over many years. My deepest condolences to his family, PM @kishida230 & the people
of #NATO’s partner #Japan at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/8rtdb0G11S— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) July 8, 2022

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen tweeted in Japanese.

安倍晋三元首相のご逝去の報に接し、言葉にならないほどのショックを受けています。台湾国民も深い悲しみの中にいます。

安倍先生とはまた台湾でお目にかかれると信じていました。しかし、許し難い暴挙によって尊い命が奪われてしまいました。— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) July 8, 2022

The statement roughly translates as follows:

“The news of the death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has given me an indescribable shock. The Taiwanese people are also in deep sorrow. I believed that I would meet Mr. Abe again in Taiwan. However, unforgivable violence has robbed him of his precious life.

“Mr. Abe dedicated a lot of support and consideration to Taiwan during his lifetime. We will never forget this. I believe that he will surely watch over democracy in the Indo-Pacific region even in heaven. I pray for his soul from the bottom of my heart.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.

Author: JAPAN Forward