These are the consequences for Japan

Tokyo The assassin was waiting across the street. The man, according to media information a former marine, had inconspicuously joined Shinzo Abe’s campaign speech in the central Japanese city of Nara. He continued to applaud with the crowd as the former Japanese leader campaigned for his conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections.

The 41-year-old then stepped onto the street, pulled a homemade double-barrelled shotgun from his pocket and shot Abe in the back. Eyewitnesses told NHK TV that it banged once or twice. The politician who has ruled Japan the longest clutched his chest and collapsed with bloody hands.

The 67-year-old was quickly taken to a hospital in a rescue helicopter, where the doctors fought for his life. Abe has since succumbed to his injuries, the hospital has confirmed.

Attack on Shinzo Abe could affect Japan’s elections and politics