TOKYO, July  8, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - World leaders condemned Friday's 
assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while paying 
tribute to him as a great leader.
       Here are some key comments:
       
       - Britain -
    
       
       British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the leadership role taken by 
the former premier, saying the UK stands with Japan "at this dark and sad time".
       "Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe. His global leadership through 
unchartered times will be remembered by many," Johnson tweeted.
       In a message of condolence sent to Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Queen 
Elizabeth II said she too was "deeply saddened" by the news of Abe's death, 
adding that she had "fond memories of meeting Mr Abe and his wife" when they 
visited the UK in 2016.
       
       - Russia -
       
       Russian President Vladimir Putin called the death an "irreplaceable loss".
       In a telegram to Abe's family, Putin called Abe an "outstanding statesman" 
who had done a lot to develop "good neighbourly ties between our countries". 
       
       - South Korea -
    
       
       South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol termed the killing an "unacceptable 
act of crime".
       "I extend my consolation and condolences to his family and the Japanese 
people for having lost their longest-serving prime minister and a respected 
politician," Yoon said.  
       
       - France -
    
       
       French President Emmanuel Macron said "Japan has lost a great prime 
minister".
       Abe had "dedicated his life to his country and worked for stability in the 
world", he said in a tweet.
       
       - Germany -
    
       
       German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed shock and solidarity with Japan 
over the killing.
       "The deadly attack on Shinzo Abe has left me aghast and deeply sad," the 
German leader tweeted. "I extend deep sympathy to his family, my colleague 
Fumio Kishida and our Japanese friends."
       
       - India -
       
       Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a day of national mourning in 
honour of Abe.
       "I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my 
dearest friends, Shinzo Abe," Modi wrote on Twitter. 
       "We stand in solidarity with our Japanese brothers and sisters in this 
difficult moment."
       
       - Ukraine -
       
       Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky extended his condolences to Abe's 
family.
       "Horrible news of a brutal assassination of former Prime Minister of Japan 
Shinzo Abe. I am extending my deepest condolences to his family and the people 
of Japan at this difficult time. This heinous act of violence has no excuse," 
he tweeted.
       
       - United States -
       
       US President Joe Biden said he was "stunned, outraged, and deeply saddened" 
by the assassination.
       "This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him," Biden said in a 
statement. "Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of 
democracy."
       Former president Donald Trump also weighed in, saying the detained assassin 
"will hopefully be dealt with swiftly and harshly".
       Secretary of State Antony Blinken mourned Abe as a visionary leader who 
boosted relations between the two allies.
       Meeting his Japanese and South Korean counterparts jointly at a G20 meeting 
in Bali, Blinken said Abe "brought the relationship between our countries, the 
United States and Japan, to new heights".
       
       - European Union -
       
       "The brutal and cowardly murder" of Abe "shocks the world", European 
Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.
       "I will never understand the brutal killing of this great man," said 
European Council President Charles Michel in a separate tweet.
       
       - The Netherlands -
       
       Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte termed the attack "cowardly", and said his 
thoughts were with Abe's loved ones and the Japanese people. 
       "At today's cabinet meeting we paused to reflect on this dark day for 
Japanese democracy. I have fond memories of our friendship and the work we did 
together," he said.
       
       - Italy -
       
       Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said that his country was "shocked by 
the terrible attack that hits Japan and its free democratic debate."
       
       - Turkey -
       
       "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Abe, the former prime 
minister of Japan, in an armed attack. I condemn those who carried out this 
heinous attack," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. 
       
       - China –

       The Chinese embassy in Japan said it was "shocked" by the shooting.
       "During his tenure, former Prime Minister Abe made contributions to the 
improvement and development of China-Japan relations. We express our 
condolences on his passing and express sympathy and solicitude for his family," 
an embassy spokesperson said.
       
       - Australia -
       
       "Shocking news from Japan that former PM Shinzo Abe has been shot," 
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tweeted after the attack.
       "Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan at this time."
       
       - Indonesia -
       
       Indonesian President Joko Widodo extended condolences on Twitter.
       "We will always remember his contributions in strengthening RI-Japan 
cooperation," he wrote. "May the family of PM Abe and the Japanese people be 
given strength in this difficult time."
       
       - United Nations -
       
       UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply saddened by the 
horrific killing", adding that he would "always remember his collegiality and 
commitment to multilateralism".
       
       - Brazil -
       
       Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro expressed "extreme indignation" at the 
killing and declared three days of official mourning in solidarity with Japan.
       Bolsonaro described Abe as a "brilliant leader" and "great friend of 
Brazil" in a tweet that included a photo of the two men shaking hands at the 
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2019.
       "Let his murder be punished rigorously. We are with Japan," the far-right 
leader tweeted.
       Brazil is home to the largest Japanese community outside of the 
archipelago, with about 1.9 million immigrants and descendants.
       
       - Canada -
       
       Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Abe's assassination 
"incredibly shocking".
       "The world has lost a great man of vision, and Canada has lost a close 
friend," he said, offering condolences to Abe's widow and the people of Japan.