Queen Elizabeth Shares Her Condolences with the Family of Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Following the death of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Queen Elizabeth has shared her condolences with his family. Abe, a leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and the nation’s longest serving prime minister, was shot in the city of Nara while he was campaigning for his party’s candidates before a parliamentary election. According to Reuters, the 67-year-old was pronounced dead five and a half hours after the incident.

In her statement, which was also shared on social media, Queen Elizabeth mentions meeting Prime Minister Abe and his wife Akie Abe during a summit in 2016, and recalled that "his desire to forge ever-closer bonds with the United Kingdom" were clear. She also expressed her "deepest sympathies" both for his family and all people of Japan.

Read her full statement below:

“My family and I were deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden and tragic death of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe. 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.

I wish to convey my deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and to the people of Japan at this difficult time.”

She signs with: "ELIZABETH R," the R here stands for regina, indicating her position as the British sovereign.

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