By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – Former American President, Barack Obama, has described the slain former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, as a friend, long-time partner and devoted leader.
Obama, in a statement on Friday, July 8, 2022, said he was shocked and saddened by the assassination.
The late Abe was regarded as Japan’s best-known politician and longest-serving leader.
He died on Friday after being shot at a campaign event.
The late Japanese leader was speaking at a campaign rally in the western region of Nara when the attack occurred.
He was said to be standing on a stage in front of the Yamato-Saidaiji railway station, stumping for Kei Sato, a candidate for Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
Obama said, “Former Prime Minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan.
“I will always remember the work we did to strengthen our alliance, the moving experience of traveling to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor together, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed to me and Michelle. Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan who are very much in our thoughts at this painful moment.”