Former Japan PM Shot Dead.

Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe was shot at on Friday in Nara while campaigning for the upcoming election said a report. The 67-year-old ex-world leader shows no vital signs after being rushed to hospital, told news agency AFP quoting Japanese media. A suspect has been taken into custody.

“Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo collapsed during a speech in the city of Nara, in western Japan. Initial reports say he may have been injured. An NHK reporter on-site heard something that sounded like a gunshot and saw Abe bleeding,” NHK said in an alert.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, addressing the media on Friday morning, said he did not know of Abe’s current condition. “Such an act of barbarity cannot be tolerated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nara city fire department said that Abe was in cardiopulmonary arrest before he was taken to the hospital.

The incident occurred at around 11.30 am (8.30 am IST). Abe was making a campaign speech on the street outside the train station ahead of Sunday’s election to the upper house of Japan’s parliament.

The NHK reporter on the scene said two consecutive bangs were heard during Abe’s speech. His security personnel was seen rushing to his aid with videos and pictures.

A 41-year-old man Tetsuya Yamagami, believed to be a resident of Nara City, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder for shooting at Abe.

He is believed to be an ex-military member — a former maritime self-defense force member, reported Fuji TV.