Former PM Shinzo Abe in critical condition

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe lies on the ground after being shot in Nara, western Japan. - Reuters

TOKYO: Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot during a campaign speech Friday (July 8) in western Japan and was airlifted to a hospital but he was not breathing and his heart had stopped, officials said.

Local fire department official Makoto Morimoto said Abe was in cardio and pulmonary arrest after being shot and was taken to a prefectural hospital.