The killing of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe on Friday sparked condemnation from political leaders all over the world.
Abe, 67, who was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister when he stood down in 2020, died after being shot twice within the western metropolis of Nara.
US president Joe Biden stated he was “stunned, outraged and deeply saddened” by the information of Abe’s assassination, calling the previous Japanese chief “my friend” and “a champion of the friendship between our people”.
“This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him,” Biden added.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken stated Abe’s dying was “profoundly disturbing” and referred to as him “an extraordinary partner” who “during his time in office brought the relationship between our country . . . and Japan to new heights”.
Japan’s fellow “Quad” members — Australia, India and the US — had been among the many first to reply after the capturing. Abe was instrumental within the formation of the Quad group, which is extensively acknowledged as a partnership designed to counter China’s assertiveness within the area.
In a joint assertion, the leaders of the opposite Quad nations hailed Abe as a “transformative leader” who “worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi ordered a day of nationwide mourning in his nation, saying he was “shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe”.
Abe was chair of the Japan-India Association and had met Modi in Japan two months in the past. “India today has lost a close friend,” stated India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described Abe as a “giant of the world stage”.
UN secretary-general António Guterres stated he was “deeply saddened” by the information, writing that he “will always remember [Abe’s] collegiality and commitment to multilateralism”.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s chief diplomat, stated Europe “loses a friend that has helped deepen and strengthen bilateral relations in all areas”.
“Shinzo Abe will be remembered as an unwavering ally in the pursuit of peace, democracy and the rule of law — in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the world,” Borrell added.
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of Nato, the western army alliance, stated he was “deeply saddened by the heinous killing of Shinzo Abe, a defender of democracy and my friend and colleague over many years”.
South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol, who has promoted stronger ties between South Korea and Japan since assuming workplace in May, expressed deep unhappiness and shock, and despatched his condolences to Abe’s household and to the Japanese folks.
China’s embassy in Tokyo provided condolences on Abe’s dying and despatched sympathies to his household whereas additionally acknowledging his “contributions towards improving China-Japan relations”.
In statements reported by Chinese state media on Saturday, President Xi Jinping provided condolences and stated he and Abe had “reached an important consensus” on their nations’ relations, expressing hope for “good neighbourly, friendly and co-operative” ties with present prime minister Fumio Kishida.
Russian president Vladimir Putin despatched a private letter of condolences to Abe’s household calling him “an outstanding statesman”.
Kevin Rudd, the previous Australian prime minister, stated the assault “provides a sober reminder to all our democracies of how precious our freedoms are”.
“An attack on any democratically elected political leader is an attack on supporters of democracy everywhere,” added Rudd, who’s now president of the US-based Asia Society think-tank.
Former US president Donald Trump, with whom Abe cast shut ties, stated through social media that the capturing was “a tremendous blow to the wonderful people of Japan”.
Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen condemned the “violent and illegal” act, whereas Wang Ting-yu, a member of Taiwan’s parliament from the ruling Democratic Progressive get together, stated Abe had been “a good friend of Taiwan”.
Abe’s public help for Taiwan had strengthened since he left workplace amid rising Chinese diplomatic and army stress on the democratic nation.
News of the capturing dominated Chinese social media on Friday. Abe had lengthy been a goal of Chinese nationalists.
One in style Weibo remark beneath the information of the incident learn: “Don’t forget that he visited the Yasukuni Shrine,” referring to the controversial establishment that honours Japan’s battle useless, together with some convicted battle criminals.
French president Emmanuel Macron stated he was “profoundly shocked” by the “hateful” assault on Abe, whom he described as a “great prime minister”, whereas Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the “cowardly attack” and added that “Spain stands in solidarity with the Japanese people in these difficult times”.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau stated, “the world has lost a great man of vision, and Canada has lost a close friend.”
Queen Elizabeth, in a message of condolence to Japan’s emperor, stated Abe’s “love for Japan, and his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom, were clear” and expressed her “deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time”.
Additional reporting by Maiqi Ding and Arjun Neil Alim in Beijing, Nic Fildes in Sydney, Chloe Cornish in Mumbai, Peter Wells in New York, Henry Foy in Brussels, Victor Mallet in Paris, Christian Davies in Seoul, Peter Wise in Lisbon and Felicia Schwartz in Washington
Source: www.ft.com”