Fumiro Kishida said there were ‘security issues’; Abe died after being shot in the back at political event
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Thursday (July 14, 2022) that Shinzo Abe’s death was due to inadequate police protection. Photos and videos of the attack show the former prime minister being shot in the back from behind, while security guards concentrated on the front.
According to Kishida, the National Public Security Commission and the National Police Agency are investigating “what went wrong” and will take action in response. “I think there were problems with the security measures.” said.
Abe died after being shot in a political campaign on Friday (8.Jul). Shortly after the incident, Kishida classified the attack as an act “absolutely unforgivable” and unacceptable to the foundations of Japanese democracy. Speaking to journalists after the death was confirmed, the prime minister declared that “an act of cowardly barbarism stole the life of Prime Minister Abe”. Kishida said to be “absolutely inadmissible” for something like this to happen.
On Saturday (July 9), the Japanese police chief, Tomoaki Onizuka, said he would open an investigation to investigate the “undeniable” security breaches occurred at the campaign rally where Abe was killed by a sniper. “The urgency for us is to conduct an investigation that sheds light on what happened.”Onizuka told local media.
This Thursday (July 14), Kishida asked investigators to conduct an inspection “thorough” and fix what “needs to be fixed” While “study examples in other countries”. The premier also spoke of plans to hold a state funeral for Abe for his contributions and for strengthening the alliance between Japan and the United States.
“By holding a state funeral in memory of former Prime Minister Abe, Japan will show its determination not to give in to violence and firmly defend democracy,” stated.
Shinzo Abe’s funeral took place on Tuesday (July 12) in Tokyo.
A possible holding of the state ceremony provoked mixed reactions from opposition leaders. For the leader of the People’s Democratic Party, Yuichiro Tamaki, the tribute is understandable. The head of Japan’s Innovation Party, Ichiro Matsui, said it would demand a lot of public money.
State funeral is a public funeral ceremony honoring heads of state, government or other important figures in a country. After World War II, the only tribute in Japan to a prime minister was in 1967 for Shigeru Yoshida.
SHINZO ABE
Shinzo Abe was Prime Minister of Japan from December 26, 2012 to September 16, 2020, when he resigned due to his health. He led the country’s politics for 4 consecutive terms.
The former Japanese leader died on Friday (July 8) at the age of 67. He was shot in the city of Nara, about 520 km from Tokyo. Abe was campaigning for the party at the time he was shot in the back. The politician was taken unconscious and already in cardiac arrest to the University Hospital of Nara, in the city of Kashihara.
OUTRAGE
A former member of the Japanese Navy, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was detained and questioned by police. Sources connected to the investigation told the TV station NHK that a homemade weapon was seized. Some components may have been 3D printed.
#Japan #police #responsible #Abes #death