Quad leaders mourn demise of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, say 'He was a transformative leader'

The leaders of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) have expressed shock at the 'tragic assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe'.

Issuing an official statement, the White House said, "We, the leaders of Australia, India, and US, are shocked at the tragic assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister Abe was a transformative leader for Japan and for Japanese relations with each one of our countries."

"Our hearts are with the people of Japan - and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida- in this moment of grief. We will honour prime minister Abe's memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region," the statement read.

The Quad is a group of four countries, namely, the United States, Australia, India, and Japan.

US President Joe Biden spoke to Japanese PM Fumio Kishida and expressed his deep condolences on the violent shooting death of former PM. PM Narendra Modi too expressed shock and announced a day of mourning on July 9.

Shinzo Abe, a divisive and most polarising figure who was Japan's longest-serving prime minister and remained a powerful and influential politician after leaving office, has died after being shot during a campaign speech. He was 67.

Abe was shot just minutes after he started speaking at the political rally and was pronounced dead hours later at a hospital, medical officials said.

Police arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of the attack, which shocked many in Japan, one of the world's safest nations with some of the strictest gun control laws. The weapon was a double-barrelled device that appeared to be a handmade gun. The killer has since confessed that he was 'frustrated with the former leader.'