The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in the early hours of Friday morning while campaigning in the city of Nara shocked Japan, but also politics around the world.
He was shot twice, but Abe was hit by the second bullet which later proved fatal for him as it took his life.
The 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami arrested in connection with this serious incident was standing behind Shinzo Abe, at a close distance.
After the first shot, Abe, who was speaking, turns to look and at that moment he is shot a second time, after which the former prime minister falls to the ground.
The alleged motives behind the assassination of Japan's longest-serving leader, the world's best-known Japanese leader, are as unusual as his assassination. According to police, the perpetrator, a 41-year-old ex-Marine, testified that he killed Abe because he believed he was part of a certain organization he disliked.
He had admitted that he had shot the 67-year-old from behind, with a self-made weapon. According to security officials, the weapon was made of wood and metal, while suspected explosives were later found in the aggressor's house. Investigations continue to determine whether the killer acted alone.
On Japanese social networks, the hashtag "we want democracy, not violence" was among the most shared on Friday. Many users expressed their horror and disgust at the incident. Gun violence is extremely rare in Japan where handguns are banned and incidents involving politicians are almost unheard of. Abe's successor, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, vowed that democracy would never kneel to violence in Japan.
Shinzo Abe was considered one of the most influential politicians in modern times. Shinzo Abe is the longest-serving prime minister.
He took over the government in 2012 and stayed until 2020 when he resigned due to health problems.