Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe is in a “very grave condition” after being shot twice during a campaign speech, the country’s current prime minister has said.
Mr Abe, 67, was speaking at an event in the western city of Nara when he was shot and fell to the ground. He was taken to hospital and said to be in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest.
Japanese people and world leaders expressed shock at the assassination attempt, an extremely rare attack in Japan that its political parties condemned.
Struggling to keep emotions in check, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Mr Abe was in grave condition and the assault on him during the campaign for Sunday's upper house election was an unacceptable attack on the foundation of Japan's democracy.
"Everything that can be done is being done to revive him. I'm praying from the depths of my heart that his life will be saved," Mr Kishida told reporters. He said he was not aware of any motive for the "absolutely unforgivable" attack.
Earlier, a fire department official said Abe appeared to be in a state of cardiac arrest when airlifted to hospital.
Police said a 41-year-old man suspected of carrying out the shooting had been arrested. NHK quoted the suspect, identified as Tetsuya Yamagami, as telling police he was dissatisfied with Mr Abe and wanted to kill him.
Mr Abe was making a campaign speech outside a train station when two shots rang out about 11.30am (2.30am GMT). Security officials were then seen tackling a man in a grey T-shirt and beige trousers.
"There was a loud bang and then smoke," businessman Makoto Ichikawa, who was at the scene, told Reuters, adding that the gun was the size of a television camera.
"The first shot, no one knew what was going on, but after the second shot, what looked like special police tackled him."
TBS Television reported that Abe had been shot on the left side of his chest and apparently also in the neck.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled” to hear of the attack on Mr Abe.
Utterly appalled and saddened to hear about the despicable attack on Shinzo Abe.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022
My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed deep concern over Mr Abe's condition.
"Our thoughts, our prayers are with him, with his family, with the people of Japan," Mr Blinken said on the sidelines of a G20 meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali. "This is a very, very sad moment. And we're awaiting news from Japan."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said his thoughts are with Mr Abe’s family, and with the people of Japan.
Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot - our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022
The US ambassador Rahm Emanuel said the United States was “saddened and shocked” by the shooting Mr Abe.
“Abe-san has been an outstanding leader of Japan and unwavering ally of the United States,” he said in a statement.
“The US government and American people are praying for the well-being of Abe-san, his family, and the people of Japan.”
Mr Abe, who is Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, stepped down in 2020 because he said a chronic health problem has resurfaced.
He launched his “Abenomics” policies to lift the economy out of deflation, beefed up Japan's military and sought to counter China's growing clout in a historic two-term tenure.
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