Thoughts, prayers and worries are pouring in from almost every part of the world, on social media and to reporters, from Russian, French, British ambassadors.
The US ambassador to Japan writes on Twitter that he is appalled and shocked by the news that Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot.
“Abe-san was an outstanding leader of Japan and an unwavering ally of the United States. The US government and the American people pray for the health of Abe-san, his family and Japan,” Ambassador Rahm Emanuel wrote on Twitter.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is signing Twitter that Abe was one of the great leaders of our time. “Horrified by this terrible news from Japan. Shinzo Abe is one of the great leaders of our time. Right now we can hope and pray that he will succeed.”
Kazuo Shii, leader of Japan’s Communist Party, writes Twitter that the attack is “a barbaric attempt to kill freedom of expression”.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters at the G20 summit that the United States is “deeply saddened and deeply concerned”.
Shinzo Abe’s condition is critical, according to the latest reports.