The security of Shinzo Abe, former Japanese Prime Minister, was a “undeniable” problem. He was killed during an election rally in Nara on Friday.
Sometimes security measures are lax at Japanese campaign rallies, where violent crime is rare, and gun laws strict. However, some claim that Nara’s measures were inadequate, due to Shinzo Abe’s profile.
“It’s evident that there were problems with security arrangements for former Prime Minster Abe,” Nara Department Police Chief Tomoaki Tozuka stated to reporters. He promised to “fully understand the problem and take the necessary steps”.
He said, “It’s urgent that we conduct a thorough investigation to determine what happened,” without going into detail about Friday’s security arrangements.
He said, his voice shaking with emotion, “Since 1995, when I became a policeman, I have no greater remorse or greater regret than this,” about Shinzo Abe’s death.
Akie, the widow of ShinzoAbe, was transported in a hearse from Kashihara (near Nara) to Tokyo in the former Prime Minister’s body. Local media reports that a wake will be held Monday night and the funeral will be held on Tuesday with Shinzo Abe’s family only.
