Former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe shot, hospitalized in grave condition, Japanese media reports

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was rushed to the hospital after being shot on Friday, public broadcaster NHK reports. Abe collapsed during a campaign speech at about 11:30 a.m. in the western city of Nara, and an NHK reporter heard two gunshots. Both NHK and Kyodo News, citing police sources, said Abe was shot from behind with a shotgun, and Kyodo News reports that the former prime minister is not conscious and appears to be in cardiac arrest. A suspect is reportedly in custody.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Explore More

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.