Bolsonaro expresses grief over former Japan prime minister killed
President Jair Bolsonaro on Twitter expressed grief over the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The politician passed away after being shot today (Jul 8) at a rally in the city of Nara, near Kyoto.
The event was taking place before Japan’s Senate elections, slated to for Sunday (10). Abe was speaking in support of Kei Sato, a member of the upper house of parliament who is running for re-election as Nara representative. Japanese police have detained a suspect in the attack, Tetsuya Yamagami.
“It is with extreme indignation and grief that I receive the news of the death of @AbeShinzo, a brilliant leader who was a great friend of Brazil. I extend my condolences to Abe's family, as well as to our Japanese brothers. May God watch over their souls in this moment of pain,” Bolsonaro tweeted.
In another publication online, the Brazilian president announced he had decreed official mourning in the country, in recognition of the solid ties between the Japanese politician and Brazil.
“As a sign of our respect to the Japanese people, in recognition for Shinzo Abe’s friendship with Brazil, and to show our sympathy in the face of this unjustifiable cruelty, I have decreed official mourning throughout the country for three days. His murder must be punished rigorously. We stand with Japan,” he wrote.
Shinzo Abe, 67, served as Japan’s prime minister from 2006 to 2007, and later yet again from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving Japanese leader in the post.
Foreign Affairs
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Relations said it learned about the demise of the former prime minister of Japan with sadness and consternation. Abe worked tirelessly to deepen the friendship between Brazil and Japan, the note reads.
“During his administration, bilateral relations rose to strategic and global levels, casting light on the importance of the relationship in all its aspects—political, economic, human. Abe had always conducted solid dialog with Brazil at the highest level and his presence at the closing ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games symbolized the affection between the two nations.”
