U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his anger and shock regarding the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday. The White House released a statement on its official website in which Biden said, "I am shocked, angry, and deeply saddened by the news of the death of my friend, Shinzo Abe, the former Prime Minister of Japan, who was shot while he was participating in a campaign rally."
Biden added, "This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him (Abe)."
The U.S. president spoke about his relationship with the former Japanese Prime Minister, stating, "I had the honor of working closely with Prime Minister Abe." He continued, "When I was Vice President, I visited him in Tokyo and welcomed him to Washington," affirming that he was "an advocate for the alliance and friendship" between the United States and Japan and their peoples.
He emphasized, "While there are still many details we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable, and the violence of guns always leaves a deep scar on the affected communities." Abe (67 years old) was shot and seriously injured while delivering a speech during his campaign in Nara, western Japan. The former Japanese Prime Minister was taken to the hospital, but doctors soon announced his death due to severe bleeding caused by a bullet wound to his neck.
