Japan in shock following assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe Transcript

Speaker 1: (00:00)
Now, to the latest on the shocking assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. World leaders offering condolences as we learn more about the shooting suspect under arrest. ABC’s Bob Woodruff is in Tokyo with more.

Bob Woodruff: (00:15)
This morning, the country of Japan in profound mourning, and the world in shock following the brazen assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. On a phone call with current Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Friday night, Biden expressed his outrage, sadness and deep condolences on the tragic and violent shooting death of former prime minister. And overnight, world leaders reacting. Chinese President Xi Jinping sending his condolences, pointing out that former Prime Minister Abe made useful contributions to promoting the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations. France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighting Abe’s efforts to bring balance to the world.

Bob Woodruff: (00:58)
Former Prime Minister Abe was shot in broad daylight Friday while in the city of Nata giving a campaign speech. After collapsing, the 67-year-old was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead soon after. The suspected shooter, 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, was quickly tackled by security and has been charged with attempted murder. In police custody, he has now confessed to the killing. Japanese police saying the suspect confessed that he committed the act as he had a grudge against a specific organization and believed former Prime Minister Abe was part of it. A homemade gun appears to have been used in the attack.

Speaker 3: (01:38)
So, it appears to be a craft-produced firearm. And in this case, it looks like a fairly simple, even slightly crude, smooth bore, probably muzzle loading.

Bob Woodruff: (01:48)
The attack, stunning a nation where incidents like these are incredibly rare.

Speaker 4: (01:53)
And when you talk about guns, it’s gun free. So, people in Japan take for granted that that kind of violence does not take place.

Bob Woodruff: (02:04)
Japan, a country of 127 million people with some of the strictest gun laws in the world, saw just 10 reported shootings in 2021. A Japanese official saying the country is feeling the profound loss of its longtime leader.

Speaker 5: (02:20)
We are feeling the excruciating pain and Prime Minister Kishida expressed that he’s terribly sorry for the loss of this great statesman, and he wishes that Prime Minister Abe’s soul rest in peace.

Bob Woodruff: (02:35)
Police today searched the accused shooter’s house where they found additional guns that were very similar to the one used in the killing. All of them apparently made with metal pipes that are wrapped together with adhesive tape. They also found a computer and other explosives inside the house. Janai.

Speaker 6: (02:53)
All right. Bob Woodruff for us there on the ground in Tokyo.

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