Numerous heads of state and government lamented the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the former president’s family and condemned that “a criminal shortened the life of a brand-new statesman who has long led the Japanese government and made a great development for relations between the two countries,” in case of doubt after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The president has indicated that Moscow had “regular contacts with Abe, which fully reflected his personal and professional qualities,” according to a Telegram message collected by the Kremlin. “The memory of this wonderful man will forever live in the hearts of those who knew him. I wish his family happiness and courage in the face of this difficulty and irreparable loss,” Putin said.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called Abe’s murder “shocking” and “deeply disturbing”. Blinken has described the former prime minister as a visionary leader and an exceptional partner for the United States. Blinken made the remarks at the start of a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and South Korean counterparts on the sidelines of the G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia. He has pointed out that Abe was “an exceptional partner for his country and someone who was clearly a great leader”. The top US diplomat also said that Abe took US-Japan relations “to new heights” during his tenure.
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has similarly expressed his “total and unreserved” condemnation of the attack that ended Abe’s life on behalf of Spain. The head of the Spanish executive recalled that he had met Shinzo Abe and his wife four years ago during his official visit to Spain and, on behalf of the government, expressed his condolences to the relatives and to Japanese society, to whom they are “very close”. Connections. Special” with the Spaniards.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “incredibly saddened” by the news from Japan of the death of Abe, who was shot dead during a campaign rally in the south-west city of Nara. “Many will remember his global leadership in difficult times. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK is with you at this dark and sad time,” he said in a message on his Twitter account.
French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his condolences on behalf of the French people, implying: “Japan is losing a great politician who dedicated his life to his country and worked for world balance”.
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For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed his “sadness” and “shock” at Abe’s death and his “deepest solidarity” with his family, the country’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his “Japanese friends”. “We are with Japan in these difficult times,” he stressed. They are joined by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has described what happened as “tragic” and recalled that Abe was “a dear friend”. “He was a global statesman, an outstanding leader and an exceptional administrator. He dedicated his life to making Japan and the world a better place.”
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in October 2018.JP GANDUL (EFE)
The Indian President has proposed a day of national mourning this Saturday, July 9, and has stressed that Abe has made “great” contributions to “improving Japan-India relations”. “Today, all of India mourns with Japan and shows solidarity with Japanese brothers and sisters at this very difficult time,” he added. “During my recent visit to Japan I had the opportunity to meet Abe. (…) He was always funny and sensitive. I didn’t know this would be our last meeting,” he lamented.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also offered his condolences to the family and Japanese people who have lost “a distinguished politician”, while his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis described Abe as a “defender of democracy” and multilateralism and a great friend”. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a similar statement, condemning the “heinous attack” that ended the life of a “dear friend”. For his part, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pointed out that “Internationally, Abe was one of Australia’s greatest friends”.
Finally, Israeli President Isaac has dubbed Herzog Abe “one of the most influential leaders in the modern world,” a condemnation to which has been added that of the Indonesian government “which is currently hosting the G20 ministerial meeting in Bali.” who expressed his “deepest condolences” to the people and government of Japan.
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