Then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addresses the media during a news conference in 2014.
In pictures: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe addresses the media during a news conference in 2014.
Stefan Boness/Visum/Redux

Updated 7:43 AM EDT, Sat July 9, 2022

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated Friday while giving a campaign speech on a street in Nara, Japan.

Abe, 67, was Japan's longest-serving prime minister, holding office from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020 before resigning due to health reasons. Since stepping down, he remained in the public eye and regularly appeared in the media to discuss current affairs.

At the time of the shooting, Abe was delivering a speech in support of candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party. He was rushed to hospital via helicopter, but he died from excessive bleeding, doctors said.

A suspect, a local man in his 40s identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.

Abe and his wife, Akie, marry at their wedding in Tokyo in 1987. They were accompanied by former Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda and his wife, Mie.
Abe and his wife, Akie, marry at their wedding in Tokyo in 1987. They were accompanied by former Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda and his wife, Mie.
Kyodo/AP
Abe breaks the lid of a sake barrel to celebrate winning a seat in the Japanese House of Representatives in 1993. Abe's father, Shintaro, once held the same position.
Abe breaks the lid of a sake barrel to celebrate winning a seat in the Japanese House of Representatives in 1993. Abe's father, Shintaro, once held the same position.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Abe receives the National Diet member's pin at his first legislature session in 1993.
Abe receives the National Diet member's pin at his first legislature session in 1993.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Abe addresses his father's memorial ceremony in Tokyo in 1993.
Abe addresses his father's memorial ceremony in Tokyo in 1993.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Abe, as deputy chief cabinet secretary, plays golf with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, left, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa, center, in 2000.
Abe, as deputy chief cabinet secretary, plays golf with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, left, and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hidenao Nakagawa, center, in 2000.
Kyodo News Stills/Getty Images
Abe, far left, stands with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, center, and other members of the general council of the Liberal Democratic Party in 2003. Koizumi had just won re-election as president of the ruling party and had filled several key party positions.
Abe, far left, stands with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, center, and other members of the general council of the Liberal Democratic Party in 2003. Koizumi had just won re-election as president of the ruling party and had filled several key party positions.
Shizuo Kambayashi/AP
Abe, as secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, addresses reporters outside the White House after meeting with then-US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in 2004.
Abe, as secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, addresses reporters outside the White House after meeting with then-US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in 2004.
Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
Abe speaks to reporters after having lunch with Thomas Schieffer, the US Ambassador to Japan, in 2005. Abe at the time was Japan's chief cabinet secretary.
Abe speaks to reporters after having lunch with Thomas Schieffer, the US Ambassador to Japan, in 2005. Abe at the time was Japan's chief cabinet secretary.
Itsuo Inouye/AFP/Getty Images
Abe and Koizumi wear 3D glasses during a science and technology conference held at Koizumi's official residence in 2006.
Abe and Koizumi wear 3D glasses during a science and technology conference held at Koizumi's official residence in 2006.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
In 2006, Abe meets with Sakie Yokota and her husband, Shigeru, whose daughter Megumi was kidnapped in 1977 by North Korean agents. Megumi's parents were telling Abe about Sakie's meeting with US President George W. Bush.
In 2006, Abe meets with Sakie Yokota and her husband, Shigeru, whose daughter Megumi was kidnapped in 1977 by North Korean agents. Megumi's parents were telling Abe about Sakie's meeting with US President George W. Bush.
Katsumi Kasahara/AFP/Getty Images
Abe bows to applause from lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party after winning the party's presidential election in 2006. He would become Japan's prime minister, succeeding Koizumi.
Abe bows to applause from lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party after winning the party's presidential election in 2006. He would become Japan's prime minister, succeeding Koizumi.
Tatsuyuki Tayama/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Abe settles into his party's presidential seat in 2006 after succeeding Koizumi as Japan's prime minister.
Abe settles into his party's presidential seat in 2006 after succeeding Koizumi as Japan's prime minister.
Pool Interagences/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Abe meets US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his office in Tokyo in 2006.
Abe meets US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at his office in Tokyo in 2006.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
Abe meets with other world leaders at a G8 summit in Germany in 2007.
Abe meets with other world leaders at a G8 summit in Germany in 2007.
2007 Christian Irrgang / Agentur Focus/Redux
Television screens show Abe as he announces his resignation as prime minister in 2007. He'd been in power for less than a year, but a string of scandals hampered his agenda and sent his approval ratings plummeting.
Television screens show Abe as he announces his resignation as prime minister in 2007. He'd been in power for less than a year, but a string of scandals hampered his agenda and sent his approval ratings plummeting.
Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images
Abe started a second term as prime minister in 2012. Here, he poses for photos with new cabinet members at his official residence in Tokyo.
Abe started a second term as prime minister in 2012. Here, he poses for photos with new cabinet members at his official residence in Tokyo.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Abe's visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine in 2013 inflamed tensions with China and South Korea. Visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders are controversial because the facility enshrines Class-A war criminals as well as the war dead.
Abe's visit to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine in 2013 inflamed tensions with China and South Korea. Visits to the shrine by Japanese leaders are controversial because the facility enshrines Class-A war criminals as well as the war dead.
The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images
Abe, center, and former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, right, with other delegates, celebrate after Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2013.
Abe, center, and former Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, right, with other delegates, celebrate after Tokyo was awarded the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2013.
Kyodo News/AP
Abe stands up after being re-elected in 2014.
Abe stands up after being re-elected in 2014.
Kyodo/AP
Abe and his wife, Akie, attend a tea ceremony presentation at the World Assembly for Women conference in Tokyo in 2015.
Abe and his wife, Akie, attend a tea ceremony presentation at the World Assembly for Women conference in Tokyo in 2015.
Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images
Abe listens to opposition lawmakers statements in Tokyo in 2015. Japan's ruling coalition rammed through a series of controversial security bills, marking the most significant overturn of the nation's "purely defensive" defense posture.
Abe listens to opposition lawmakers statements in Tokyo in 2015. Japan's ruling coalition rammed through a series of controversial security bills, marking the most significant overturn of the nation's "purely defensive" defense posture.
Ma Ping/Xinhua/eyevine/Redux
Abe addresses a joint session of the US Congress in 2015.
Abe addresses a joint session of the US Congress in 2015.
/Yin Bogu/Xinhua News Agency/eyevine/Redux
Abe and his wife, Akie, visit Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2016.
Abe and his wife, Akie, visit Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 2016.
John Stillwell/PA Wire/Redux
After giving speeches at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 2016, Abe and US President Barack Obama talk with veterans who survived the Japanese attack there in 1941. In the speech, Abe offered his "sincere and everlasting condolences" for those who died in the attack.
After giving speeches at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii in 2016, Abe and US President Barack Obama talk with veterans who survived the Japanese attack there in 1941. In the speech, Abe offered his "sincere and everlasting condolences" for those who died in the attack.
Kyodo News/Getty Images
Abe takes part in the closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Tokyo would be hosting the next Summer Olympics.
Abe takes part in the closing ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Tokyo would be hosting the next Summer Olympics.
Marcelo Correia/Camera Press/Redux
Abe stands in front of the Japanese flag after the Liberal Democratic Party's annual convention in 2017.
Abe stands in front of the Japanese flag after the Liberal Democratic Party's annual convention in 2017.
Toru Hanai/Reuters
Abe and US President Donald Trump feed koi during Trump's visit to the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo in 2017.
Abe and US President Donald Trump feed koi during Trump's visit to the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo in 2017.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
US Vice President Mike Pence is flanked by his wife, Karen, and Abe during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is standing at left in the back row.
US Vice President Mike Pence is flanked by his wife, Karen, and Abe during the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is standing at left in the back row.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux
Abe drives Trump in a golf cart as they play a round in Japan's Chiba Prefecture in 2019.
Abe drives Trump in a golf cart as they play a round in Japan's Chiba Prefecture in 2019.
Kyodo/AP
Abe delivers remarks at the UN General Assembly in New York in 2018.
Abe delivers remarks at the UN General Assembly in New York in 2018.
Dave Sanders/The New York Times/Redux
Abe meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2019.
Abe meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in 2019.
Li Xueren/Xinhua/Getty Images
Abe sits next to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony for a cultural exchange project in Osaka, Japan, in 2019.
Abe sits next to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony for a cultural exchange project in Osaka, Japan, in 2019.
Kyodo News/Kyodo News Stills/Kyodo News Stills via Getty Imag
Abe receives a guard of honor while visiting the United Kingdom in 2019.
Abe receives a guard of honor while visiting the United Kingdom in 2019.
ROTA/Camera Press/Redux
Abe and his wife, Akie, greet Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on their 60th wedding anniversary in 2019.
Abe and his wife, Akie, greet Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on their 60th wedding anniversary in 2019.
Kyodo/AP
People in Osaka, Japan, walk past a monitor showing a live broadcast of Abe talking about the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
People in Osaka, Japan, walk past a monitor showing a live broadcast of Abe talking about the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images
Abe leaves after a news conference in Tokyo in 2020. He said he would step down from his post due to health concerns.
Abe leaves after a news conference in Tokyo in 2020. He said he would step down from his post due to health concerns.
Franck Robichon/Xinhua/Pool/Redux
Abe waves from a car window as he leaves a campaign event for the Liberal Democratic Party in Ise, Japan, in 2021. He continued to campaign for his party's candidates until his assassination in July 2022.
Abe waves from a car window as he leaves a campaign event for the Liberal Democratic Party in Ise, Japan, in 2021. He continued to campaign for his party's candidates until his assassination in July 2022.
Jinhee Lee/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Abe makes a street speech for party candidates in Nara, Japan, before he was shot on Friday, July 8.
Abe makes a street speech for party candidates in Nara, Japan, before he was shot on Friday, July 8.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
Abe is seen on the ground after being shot in Nara.
Abe is seen on the ground after being shot in Nara.
Kyodo News/AP