The body of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Tokyo on Saturday after being assassinated in the city of Nara. What japan reels of the shocking shooting, here’s what we know so far.
Funeral arrangements for Abe: the funeral for Abe will be held on Monday and Tuesday, his office told CNN, with a wake on Monday, followed by a memorial service on Tuesday. The funeral will be organized by his widow Akie Abe at a temple in Tokyo, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.
The police will check security: Japan’s National Police Agency said it would review security arrangements implemented before the shooting on Friday, according to NHK. Security was provided by the Nara Prefectural Police, who drew up a security plan for the former prime minister while he was in the city.
Nara Prefectural Police Chief Tomoaki Onizuka said he “can’t deny there were problems” with Abe’s safety. At a press conference on Saturday, he said authorities are investigating what went wrong in the run-up to the former prime minister’s assassination. He added that “it takes[s] responsibility “for the security breach that resulted in Abe’s murder.
Suspected of used homemade weapon: The suspect in Abe’s murder said the gun he used was homemade, Nara Nishi police said at a news conference on Friday. Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, admitted to shooting Abe, police said. Yamagami, who is unemployed, told investigators that he hates a certain group he believed Abe was associated with. Police have not named the group.
Yamagami made various types of weapons from iron tubes wrapped in duct tape, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, citing police. The police found weapons with three, five and six iron tubes as cannons. The suspect inserted bullets into the barrel of his homemade gun, parts he had bought online, NHK reported, citing police. Police believe the suspect used the most powerful weapon he made in the murder, NHK added.
Elections will be held on Sunday: Japanese voters vote on Sunday despite Abe’s assassination just two days before the election. At the time of the shooting, Abe was speaking in support of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) candidates ahead of the election.
