Ex-US Prez Barack Obama 'shocked and saddened' by assassination of ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe

assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has left former US president Barack Obama "shocked and sdened." death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8, shocked entire world and condolences poured in from his political peers. In a nation where political and gun violence incidents are extremely rare, former Japanese leer was shot while speaking at an election campaign event.

Barack Obama, in a statement, said, "I am shocked and sdened by assassination of my friend and longtime partner Shinzo Abe in Japan. Former Prime Minister Abe was devoted to both country he served and extraordinary alliance between United States and Japan. I will always remember work we did to strengn our alliance, moving experience of traveling to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor toger, and grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed to me and Michelle. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to people of Japan who are very much in our thoughts at this painful moment."

Biden, Trump mourn Abe's demise

current Japanese prime minister, Fumio Kishida, told media earlier in day that his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, was in "critical condition" and described shooting as a "despicable and barbaric act." Abe passed at hospital later in day. incident, according to Kishida, is an attack on democracy. White House also condemned "violent attack" in a formal statement, saying that it was closely monitoring situation, and expressed its condolences to Abe's grieving family and Japanese community.

Meanwhile, US president Joe Biden mourned former Japanese PM's demise, saying, "I'm stunned, outraged & deeply sdened by news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former PM of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning... US stands with Japan in this moment of grief."

In a post on Truth Social, former US President Donald Trump called attack on Shinzo Abe "absolutely devastating" and praised former Japanese Prime Minister as a "truly great man" and a true friend of his and America.

(Image: AP)