Fumio Kishida, Prime Minister of Japan, expressed himself on the murder of Shinzo Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave a press conference after hearing the news of the murder of his predecessor Shinzo Abe while campaigning in the city of Nara. Police arrested the suspected shooter, Tetsuya Yamagami, 41.

Fumio Kishida’s words on the murder of Shinzo Abe

(On what information Prime Minister Kishida has regarding the attack on former Prime Minister Abe and how he views it, and the impact of the attack on the political administration)

We have learned that shortly before noon today, former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has been shot with a firearm in Nara Prefecture. I understand that all emergency measures are being taken. First of all, I offer my sincerest prayers that former Prime Minister Abe is somehow saved.

We still don’t fully understand the background to this crime, but whatever it is, it is a despicable act that took place in the middle of an election, the very essence of democracy, and it is totally unforgivable in my eyes. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

From now on, the Government will anticipate a whole spectrum of possible scenarios and will take all the measures that allow it to respond adequately.

At the moment all the emergency efforts are being carried out to save lives, so I don’t think this is the time to talk about the repercussions that this could have on the future political situation, as you asked in your question, and furthermore I myself am not thinking about it at all.

In response to the current difficult circumstances, what is important is, first of all, to take comprehensive life-saving measures and for the Government to prepare for all kinds of measures, so that it can respond to any possible situation.

(About the answers that are going to be taken today and those that are going to affect the electoral campaign from now on)

As for what happens next, first of all, from now on I intend to have all the members of my Cabinet return to Tokyo. I will bring the Cabinet together in a meeting and we will confirm the situation that has just occurred. I will have us, as a Government, share the same answer and I will have us confirm it.

And, as for the date of the next elections and others, at the moment nothing has been decided. We will have to respond appropriately after knowing the future situation.