Former Prime Minister Abe’s Shooting Document: Japan Shocked by the Scene of the Shooting, Shaken by the Bullet

Last Updated on 07/09/2022 by てんしょく飯

At around 11:30 a.m. on July 8, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 67, was shot while making a street speech for the Upper House election near Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station in Nara City. He was rushed to a hospital affiliated with Nara Medical University in cardiopulmonary arrest, but was pronounced dead at 5:03 p.m. on the same day.

Here is a summary of the day’s activities.

<July 8>

Around 11:30 a.m., former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 67, was shot while making a speech for the Upper House election near Kintetsu Yamato Saidaiji Station in Nara City.

11:32 a.m. … Nara Prefectural Police caught Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, of Nara City, red-handed on suspicion of attempted murder.

11:40 a.m.: The National Police Agency sets up a task force.

11:53 a.m.: A helicopter arrives near the scene.

11:54 a.m.: An ambulance carrying Abe leaves the scene.

11:57 a.m.: Mr. Abe is transferred to the helicopter.

0:13 p.m. …the helicopter takes off.

0:20 p.m. …the helicopter arrives at the Prefectural Medical University Hospital in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture.

Around 0:30 p.m.: Supporters gather one after another at Abe’s office in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.

0:38 p.m. … Prime Minister Fumio Kishida leaves Kamimachi Camp of the Ground Self-Defense Force in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture, by land-based helicopter after giving a street speech at Michi no Eki Sagae in Sagae City, Yamagata Prefecture.

2:00 p.m. … Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike held a regular press conference, saying, “Whatever the reason, this kind of barbaric act cannot be tolerated.

Around 2:05 p.m. … Kazuo Shii, chairman of the Communist Party of Japan, gave a speech in Kita Ward, Osaka City, with his car in the background instead of on top of it. The camp said this was to strengthen security, and that the Osaka Prefectural Police had requested it.

At around 2:20 p.m., Yamaguchi Governor Tsugumasa Muraoka said of Mr. Abe, “He has encouraged various efforts by the prefecture. I would like to pray for his safety,” he said at the prefectural government office. Akio Ito, chairman of Mr. Abe’s supporters’ association, said in front of his Shimonoseki City office, “I just hope he is safe.

2:29 p.m. … Prime Minister Kishida arrives at the helipad on the roof of the prime minister’s residence by land-based helicopter after traveling by Air Self-Defense Force transport plane and other aircraft.

2:30 p.m. … Abe’s former secretary, Shintaro Maeda, mayor of Shimonoseki, comments that he is “stunned.

2:47 p.m.: At the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Kishida said tearfully, “I sincerely hope that he somehow manages to escape with his life. This is a despicable and barbaric act that took place in the midst of an election, the very foundation of democracy, and it cannot be forgiven.

5:03 p.m. Abe’s death is confirmed.

5:17 p.m.: Nara Prefectural Police raid Yamakami’s apartment in Nara City.

Shortly after 6:00 p.m.: Professor Eiken Fukushima and others at the Nara Medical University Hospital, where he was taken, hold a press conference. He explained that he was in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest when he arrived at the hospital.

6:55 p.m.: At the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Kishida states, “I am truly sorry and have no words to express my regret” upon hearing of Abe’s death.

Around 7:30 p.m.: Shigeru Ishiba, former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said of Mr. Abe in Kurayoshi City, Tottori Prefecture, “He said that politics is all about results. He was a man of conviction, although we had our differences.