The assassination of former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe is ‘shocking’, says Trudeau – National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is shocking and that Canada has lost a close friend in his death.

Abe was killed earlier this morning by a gunman who opened fire on him from behind as he was delivering a campaign speech in western Japan.

The 67-year-old Abe, who was Japan’s longest-serving leader when he resigned in 2020, collapsed bleeding and was flown to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Trudeau said in a statement he was deeply saddened by the loss of the former Japanese leader.

“The world has lost a great man of vision, and Canada has lost a close friend,” Trudeau said in his statement.

“My thoughts are with his wife Akie and the people of Japan who are mourning this loss. You will be missed my friend.”

Abe became Japan’s youngest prime minister in 2006, but his overly nationalistic first term ended abruptly a year later because of health problems.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns due to ill health

He later won six national elections starting in 2012 and built a rock-solid grip on power by strengthening Japan’s defense role and capability and its security alliance with the US