The death of Japan’s former Prime Minister is affecting many, including Missourians

NARA, Japan (AP) — Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of Japan’s most powerful politicians, has died after being shot during a campaign speech. Abe was shot from behind minutes after he started his speech Friday in Nara in western Japan. He was airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment but was not breathing and his heart had stopped. He was pronounced dead later at the hospital. The 67-year-old Abe was Japan’s longest-serving leader before stepping down for health reasons in 2020. Police arrested the suspected gunman at the scene of the attack, which shocked people in a country known as one of the world’s safest.

In the wake of the devastating news Congressman and Missouri US Senate candidate Billy Long said,

“Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was a great friend of mine, President Trump, and the United States. I am saddened and shaken by senseless loss for his family, Japan, and the world. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan, I lead a bipartisan delegation to Japan for 7 years. On every trip, Prime Minister Abe would always see us in person and was gracious to a fault. I am praying for his family and the people of Japan today. May he Rest In Peace.”