Stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened: US President Biden on Shinzo Abe's assassination

Washington: US President Joe Biden condoled the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and said that he was "stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened" by the news. "I am stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened by the news that my friend Abe Shinzo, former Prime Minister of Japan, was shot and killed while campaigning. This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him," he said in a statement.

"The longest-serving Japanese Prime Minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure as he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment, he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy," Biden added as he recalled his past interactions with Shinzo Abe.

Joe Biden also condemned the increase in violent attacks globally, especially gun violence, and said they always leave a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it. "As Vice President, I visited him in Tokyo and welcomed him to Washington. He was a champion of the Alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people," the White House quoted Biden as saying, underlining that the United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief. I send my deepest condolences to his family, the White House release said, quoting Biden.

Former US President Donald J Trump also expressed his frief and said, "Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is dead. He was assassinated. His killer was captured and will hopefully be dealt with swiftly and harshly." He was a unifier like no other, Trump said, adding that he was a man who loved and cherished his magnificent country, Japan.
(ANI)