Assassination of Japan's Shinzo Abe 'horrifically disturbing': Trudeau
2022. 7. 9. 02:37ㆍ■ 국제/CANADA
Assassination of Japan's Shinzo Abe 'horrifically disturbing': Trudeau
OTTAWA — The assassination of Japan's longest-serving prime minister during a campaign speech is "horrifically disturbing" and demands pushback against rising violence and threats that are harming democracy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
© Provided by The Canadian PressAssassination of Japan's Shinzo Abe 'horrifically disturbing': Trudeau
Abe was killed Friday on a street in western Japan by a gunman who opened fire on him from behind as he delivered a campaign speech — an attack that stunned the country that has some of the strictest gun control laws anywhere.
The 67-year-old Abe collapsed bleeding and was airlifted to a nearby hospital in Nara, about 500 kilometres west of Tokyo. He was pronounced dead after receiving massive blood transfusions, officials said.
Trudeau, who sat with Abe at the G7 and G20 leaders' tables from 2015 to Abe's resignation in 2020, said Abe was "a great friend and partner to Canada."
"I knew Shinzo for many years," Trudeau said. "He was a thoughtful, compassionate, strong leader who understood the importance of service, understood the importance of building a better world, better opportunities for his citizens."
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly, attending the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia, said she expressed Canada's condolences to Japanese foreign minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Trudeau said the senseless death was compounded by the fact it occurred while Abe was campaigning, ahead of elections for Japan's upper house taking place next week. He said everyone must recommit to "the values and principles of democracy" allowing for great debate and a diversity of perspectives but without threat of violence and intimidation.
Security risks in Canadian politics have heightened in recent years, particularly noticeable on the federal election campaign last fall when the threat level against Trudeau rose so much his security detail was significantly expanded.
Interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen said in a statement that Abe's time in office "was critical in strengthening Canada-Japan relations."
"His legacy is one of a commitment to regional prosperity and security which is reflected in treaties like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which both Canada and Japan are signatories," she said.
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