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Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe critical after being shot while giving speech

WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT:

The former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has been shot while making a speech on a street in the western city of Nara.

Authorities say the 67-year-old was attacked from behind before he collapsed, bleeding from the chest and neck.

The former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has been shot while making a speech on a street in the city of Nara. 
Source: Twitter
Shinzo Abe was shot while making a speech in the the city of Nara. Source: Twitter

Photos have emerged of the ex-leader lying on the ground, with blood seeping through his white shirt, while a person above him carries out life saving support.

Mr Abe has since airlifted rushed to hospital in a "state of cardiopulmonary arrest," while news agency NHK reports that he was showing no vital signs and in heart failure.

In Japan, officials often use the term 'heart failure' to describe situations where victims are no longer alive but before a formal declaration of death has been made.

Mr Abe was seen lying on the ground with blood seeping through his shirt. Source: Getty/AP
Mr Abe was seen lying on the ground with blood seeping through his shirt. Source: Getty/AP

Horrifying mobile phone footage captured the moment the former Prime Minister was wounded.

In the video smoke can be seen billowing from the scene while people surround Mr Abe who lies on ground.

Bystanders say they heard at least two gunshots.

A man in his 40s, believed to be the gunman, was detained at the scene.

The suspect has since been named as Tetsuya Yamagami, a local resident, and arrested for attempted murder.

Users on social media have since suggested that the gunman's weapon may have been be a homemade pipe gun on a plank.

Guns are extremely difficult to buy in Japan with some of the strongest gun control laws in the world.

A man at the scene was arrested for the shooting. Source: Twitter
A man at the scene was arrested for the shooting. Source: Twitter

Mr Abe was the country's longest serving prime minister until he stepped down in 2020, citing the return of a chronic health problem.

At the time he said it was "gut wrenching" to leave many of his goals unfinished.

During his reign, Mr Abe, who had followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, was known as a divisive figure.

His ultra-nationalism riled the Koreas and China and his push to normalise Japan's defence posture angered many Japanese.

He had been in Nara to make a campaign speech ahead of Sunday's upper house elections.

From Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed concerns for his Japanese counterpart.

"Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time," he Tweeted.

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