The convoy carrying the body of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from the city of Nara (west of the country), where he was assassinated during an election rally yesterday, Friday, arrived in Tokyo, in an incident that caused a great shock inside and outside Japan.

And local media said that the memorial service will take place next Monday evening, and the funeral will be held on Tuesday, in the presence of Abe's family and relatives only.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, was shot twice in the neck and pronounced dead hours later despite the efforts of a team of 20 doctors.

The shooter, who was arrested by police at the scene, admitted that he deliberately targeted Abe and explained to police that he was angry with an organization he believed the former prime minister was linked to.

Local media indicated that the matter was related to an unnamed religious group.

The Japanese news agency "Kyodo" said that the accused told investigators that he had originally intended to target the leader of that religious group.


port and weapon

According to Japanese press reports, the attacker, 41, served in the Japanese Navy, and shot Abe from close range with a firearm "apparently handmade". Police searched the accused's home and confiscated a number of firearms.

Police are now facing many questions about how Abe's assassination happened, and experts have questioned why those working to secure Abe were unable to prevent the attack.

"I don't think there are enough precautions regarding firearms in Japan, due to the strict laws relating to weapons," the Japanese newspaper, Nikkei, quoted a security expert as saying.

According to media reports, the National Police Service now intends to review its security measures to protect prominent figures.

At the time of the attack, the 67-year-old former prime minister was giving a speech at an election rally in Nara district ahead of Sunday's Senate elections, when gunfire was heard.


Resume campaigns

The incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida confirmed that preparations for the elections, which are the "foundation of democracy", will continue as normal.

And the election campaign resumed on its last day, as Kishida, who like Shinzo Abe belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party (nationalist right), participated in an election rally Saturday morning in Yamanashi, west of Tokyo.

"Violence cannot overcome the word," the Japanese prime minister told about 600 people, according to the Mainichi newspaper.

The newspaper quoted a member of the security forces as saying, "We will not let what happened yesterday happen again," and talked about a security system enhanced by installing metal detectors and searching the participants' bags.

In the same context, the Japanese Radio and Television Corporation said that many parties will prevent prominent figures from giving speeches on Saturday, but the election campaign will go ahead, to show the determination not to give in to violence, as she put it.

three countries

Globally, condemnations followed the assassination of Shinzo Abe, and many leaders expressed their shock and grief over his death, and the United States, Brazil and India officially declared a state of mourning in honor of the late politician.

US President Joe Biden said he had ordered flags to be flown at half-mast until July 10 to mourn Abe, whom he described as "a loyal servant of the Japanese people and a loyal friend of the United States."

Also, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro declared a 3-day state of mourning, describing Abe as a "smart leader and great friend of Brazil" and calling for the killer to be severely punished for "such an unjustified atrocity."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a national day of mourning in honor of Abe, writing on Twitter: "I am deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic death of one of my dearest friends."