Former Japan Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, assassinated

Former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader, died on Friday after being shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election.

A man opened fire on Mr. Abe, 67, from behind with an apparently homemade gun.

It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese premier since the days of pre-war militarism in the 1930s.

Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested.

Mr. Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two shots rang out at about 11:30 a.m.

Mr. Abe served two terms as Prime Minister, stepping down in 2020 citing ill health.