The mortal remains of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, shot dead yesterday during an electoral act in Nara, arrived at his home in Tokyo this Saturday, accompanied by his widow, Aike, and high-ranking figures of national politics. Across the country, a population still shocked by the event pays tribute and mourns the death of the most influential local politician in recent decades, while the investigation continues to clarify the motives for his murder at the hands of a former soldier.
The hearse left this morning from the hospital in Kashihara, where the former leader was transferred yesterday after being shot twice in the back, after performing the autopsy and other relevant procedures. The vehicle arrived at his residence in the Tokyo district of Shibuya after 1:30 p.m. (local time).
In addition to his widow, who the day before went to Nara as soon as she learned of the attack against her husband, powerful members of her formation, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), moved to the house. Among those present was also the current Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, who a few months ago had Abe’s endorsement to take over the position and who appeared at the family residence to convey his condolences for the death of his mentor. political.
Meanwhile, investigations into the motives for the murder continue. According to local media, the suspect arrested yesterday at the scene of the crime, the unemployed former military officer Tetsuya Yamagami, told police that he initially planned his attack because of his grudge against “a specific organization” whose name has not been leaked. Apparently, the aggressor mentioned in his statements problems with that religious organization, to which his mother would have donated money and which caused his bankruptcy.
The suspect said that he had planned to attack the leader of that group, but given the difficulty of doing so, he chose to attack Abe, whom he believes had “a close relationship” with the organization. “My family joined that religious group and our life became more difficult after donating money,” he told police, according to sources in the local newspaper The Asahi Shimbun. “I wanted to attack the head of the organization, but it was very difficult. So, I went after Abe because he believed he was related (to them). I wanted to kill him,” he added.
His confusing explanations do not dispel the loopholes surrounding the case, and authorities are still investigating his motives or whether he acted alone. Yamagami said the day before that he decided to end Abe because he was “dissatisfied” with the president, but that he “did not hold a grudge against him for his political principles.” The investigators believe that Yamagami planned the attack well in advance, deciding to attack Nara after studying the electoral acts in different cities announced by Abe himself on the networks, and carrying out target practice with live fire. In a subsequent search of his home, they found several more homemade weapons like the one he used in his attack and some explosives also made by the suspect.
Abe was attacked while giving a rally in the streets of Nara ahead of parliamentary by-elections scheduled for Sunday. After the suspension decreed yesterday of all the electoral acts due to the attack, this Saturday the campaign was resumed before the polls open as planned on Sunday, an appointment in which the PLD and its allies from Komeito will try to enlarge its majority.
The security device deployed in electoral events such as yesterday’s is also being analyzed, which is usually minimal at first glance – especially when compared to other countries – given that the country has one of the lowest crime rates in all the world. For tomorrow’s elections, the authorities have decided to reinforce their deployment, and it is likely that the security protocols will be reinforced in the future to avoid similar situations.
The Japanese media indicated that a wake will take place on Monday and that the next day his funeral will be officiated for those closest to him. Meanwhile, tributes to the assassinated former leader follow one another across the country, with queues to make offerings of flowers and pray in memory of the prime minister who spent the longest time at the head of the nation in its modern history. “I couldn’t sit and do nothing. I had to come,” said Nara resident Sachie Nagafuji, who went to the scene of the attack to lay a bouquet in the company of her son.
Abe’s murder has also caused quite a stir among leaders in the rest of the world. This Saturday, the other three members of the Quad group – the United States, India and Australia – to which Japan also belongs, praised Abe as a “transformative leader” for their country and his relations with each of them.
Even the regional powers with whom Abe had serious disagreements during his tenure had words of comfort. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolences to Kishida on Saturday, with the Chinese embassy in Japan praising his “contribution to the improvement and development” of bilateral ties.
