SHINZO Abe’s alleged assassin told cops he ‘had no choice but to kill’ during an interrogation for shooting the former Prime Minister, according to Japanese media.
Police interrogated the number one suspect, Yamagami Tetsuya, this afternoon, while a raid of his flat exposed an enormous arsenal of homemade weapons and “explosives”.
As soon as the shots were fired security personnel rushed to disarm the shooter[/caption]
He was tackled to the ground[/caption]
The former PM, 67, died in hospital from wounds in his neck and chest after he was gunned down with a makeshift weapon at a political rally in Nara, Japan.
Current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he was “simply speechless” at the sudden death of his predecessor and vowed that Japan’s democracy would “never yield to violence”.
Although Abe could not be saved, the 41-year-old suspected shooter did not attempt to flee the scene and was rapidly detained by police.
He remains in custody and police are still investigating whether he acted alone.
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Now reports from Japanese news outlets claim to have an insight into the man’s twisted thought process.
According to the television network TV Asahi, the arrested man was alleged to tell officers in his interrogation that he had “no choice but to kill”.
The network’s Tweet read in Japanese: “Tetsuya Yamagami, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder against former Prime Minister Abe, told police interrogation that he thought he had no choice but to kill him.
“Police investigate that the suspect had a strong murderous intention against former Prime Minister Abe and had been systematically preparing for a long period of time.”
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It has also emerged that the alleged killer held a grudge against a “specific organisation”.
He assassinated Abe because he believed the ex-PM to be part of this group, which he did not name, the BBC reported.
But officers are still investigating why only Abe was targeted out of the unnamed organisation.
The suspect was calm as he responded to questions during his interview and did not try to escape, police added.
Officials have given no further details about a possible motive.
Tetsuya is reported to be a former Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force member.
Japanese media say he spent three years in the force before leaving in 2005, but is now unemployed.
Chilling footage and photos taken moments before the attack show the navy veteran lurking behind the political podium staring at Abe as he speaks.
He shadows the ex-PM suspiciously, wearing a grey shirt, brown trousers and a white face mask.
Police confirmed they discovered an arsenal of handmade weapons at the suspect’s home address.
Many were crude firearms similar to the one that fired the fatal shots and others were understood to be explosives.
His love for Japan, and his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom were clear
The Queen
The gun Tetsuya used in the attack appears to be made of two pipes strapped to a plank with thick black tape.
Japan has a near “zero-tolerance” of gun ownership and an extremely low rate of gun crime – so the shooting today came as an incredibly rare shock to the nation.
Abe served as Prime Minister for nine years – the country’s longest consecutive term – and helped reshape Japan’s position on the world stage.
He had been giving a speech at a campaign event for his former party, the Liberal Democratic Party, as upper house elections in Japan are due to take place later this week.
His security team were around him, but the gunman was able to draw his weapon and shoot the former statesman at close range “without being checked”, local media said.
It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese premier since the days of prewar militarism in the 1930s.
Tributes have been pouring in for the former PM from world leaders across the globe.
In a statement, The Queen said: “I have fond memories of meeting Mr Abe and his wife during their visit to the United Kingdom in 2016.
“His love for Japan, and his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom were clear.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Britain stood with Japan at this dark time following the “incredibly sad news”.
The outgoing PM said on Twitter: “His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.”
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His new chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said: “We enter politics to serve and to try and make the world a better place.
“Shinzo Abe has lost his life in pursuit of that noble aim. May he rest in eternal peace.”
The suspected shooter used a handmade weapon[/caption]
Other homemade weapons like the one that fired the fatal shots were found at the suspect’s home[/caption]
Emergency services rushed to the scene[/caption]
Tributes have poured in for the late politician[/caption]
The former PM was popular among foreign leaders[/caption]
Tributes poured in from world leaders[/caption]
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