Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is known for his unique foreign policy, “Abenomics,” and economic strategies. A hugely popular, and highly controversial, politician, Abe, 67, led Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party to victory twice.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, served for one year in 2006 and then from 2012 to 2020 before resigning for health reasons.

While in office, he offered more assertive policies on defense and foreign policy and long sought to revise Japan’s pacifist postwar constitution.

He also created an economic policy called “Abenomics” built on monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms.

Abe was campaigning for a parliamentary election in the city of Nara – about 300 miles from the capital Tokyo – when he was shot today.

A gunshot rang out during the speech and Abe was shot twice in the neck. He collapsed immediately and was rushed to the nearest hospital. Security officers at the scene caught the gunman and he is now in custody. However, after four hours of treatment, former Japanese Prime Minister Abe was pronounced dead.

As described by witnesses, a man carrying a large gun and the suspect shot the former prime minister twice from behind.

Photos from the time of the shooting show the shooter standing behind Prime Minister Abe.