Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe passes away at 67, global leaders express grief

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe breathed his last on Friday after being shot while making a speech in the western city of Nara. He was 67.

Earlier on Friday Abe, 67, was rushed to hospital after he collapsed at 11.30am (local time) during a campaign speech in Nara ahead of Sunday’s elections for Japan’s upper house of parliament.

Taking to Twitter on Shinzo Abe's demise, PM Modi expressed shock and also announced that July 9 will be served as a day of national mourning. Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe. His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also expressed shock and tweeted, "Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe. His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people. The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was 'deeply saddened' by the assassination of the former PM Abe. He said that India has lost a close friend who assiduously worked towards strenghtening the bilateral relations between India and Japan during his tenure.