Guwahati: The national flag was flown at half-mast at Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Parliament House on Saturday (July 8) as a sign of respect for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who was slain on Friday.
Shinzo Abe was shot while giving a campaign rally in the western Japanese city of Nara.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his shock over the tragic demise of Abe and in a tweet said: “As a mark of our deepest respect for former Prime Minister #ShinzoAbe, a one-day national mourning shall be observed on 9 July 2022.”
PM Modi wrote, “I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.”
In a blog post titled “My Friend, Abe San” PM Modi wrote, “In the passing away of Abe, Japan and the world have lost a great visionary. And, I have lost a dear friend.”
He referred to him as “San” which means “Dear” and said that he met Abe in 2007.
“I first met Abe San in 2007 and since then, we have had so many memorable interactions. I will cherish each of them. Abe San energised the India-Japan relationship. He ensured that Japan is there side by side as New India accelerates its growth,” wrote PM Modi.
Abe was taken to the hospital after the attack, and according to early media accounts citing the police, it looked that the former Japanese prime minister had been shot in the chest. He had “cardiopulmonary arrest,” according to their description, and had no vital signs.
Later, the government-controlled Liberal Democratic Party was cited by public broadcaster NHK as saying that Abe had passed away. According to representatives of the Nara Medical University Hospital, Abe passed away at 5:03 p.m. (local time) and suffered two bullet wounds in his neck.