Japan PM blames inadequate police protection for Abe killing

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has blamed inadequate Police security for the assassination of former leader Shinzo Abe. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of Japan's most influential politicians, was shot last Friday in the western part of the country when he was giving a campaign speech. Kishida said officials at the National Public Safety Commission and National Police Agency were investigating what went wrong and would come up with measures. “I urge them to fix what needs to be fixed, while also studying examples in other countries,” he said.

Paying tribute to Abe, Kishida said Japan’s longest-serving prime minister had “many great legacies to his name across a wide variety of issues.“This includes taking on the heavy responsibility of being premier for our country with outstanding leadership and action over the course of eight years and eight months – the longest in modern history – when in the midst of domestic and global tension.” Kishida said Japan would hold a state funeral for Abe in the autumn. A smaller funeral ceremony was held at a temple in Tokyo on Tuesday, The last state funeral for a former prime minister was for Shigeru Yoshida in 1967.