Shinzo Abe: The man who established good relations between Kosovo and Japan

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead this morning during an electoral rally. Abe was 67 years old.

The oldest former politician in the post of prime minister of Japan, since World War II (served between 2006 and 2007 and then from 2012 to 2020), was a major supporter of Kosovo.

In the post of prime minister, Hashim Thaci met Abenne in 2014, there this former Prime Minister Abe, had expressed great support for Kosovo.

Abe at that meeting had expressed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Kosovo in various areas, especially the environment and in terms of security.

Abe and Thaci were to meet again in 2019, when Thaci was in the post of president.

In September 2019, Mr. Abe and Thaci (formerly-president) had met for 40 minutes during an official visit by the latter to Japan.

Abe at that meeting, according to the then communiqué we reviewed by the Japanese government, had expressed readiness to strengthen bilateral relations between Kosovo and Japan, where a year later the Japanese Embassy in Kosovo would be opened.

“Prime Minister Abe argued that Japan will consistently support the state of Kosovo on various issues such as that of environment”, It was in the communique.

Former Prime Minister Abe resigned from office two years ago for health reasons.

For his resignation, there were reactions from Kosovo as well.

In 2020, Avdullah Hoti, in the post of prime minister, had expressed regret over Abe's resignation, where he had in particular mentioned Abea's contribution to advancing Kosovo relations -- Japan.

More Details From the Shocking Event in Japan

Japan's former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, died after being attacked by firearms at an event in the town of Nara.

Abe, 67, was giving an election speech when he was shot with two bullets.

The alleged attacker was arrested at the scene, while Abe was immediately taken to the hospital in serious condition.

“After a senior LDP official [Abbe's party], the former prime minister died in a hospital in Kashihara, the Nara region, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67 years old”, NHK reported.

According to the same source, the alleged assailant, identified as Tetsuya Yamame, 41, has told police he was unhappy with Aben and wanted to kill him.

“Whatever the reason, such a barbarian act can never be tolerated and we strongly condemn it”, said Japanese cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno.

Abe has broken records as Japan's longest-lived prime minister.

He served for a yearin 2006 and then again from 2012 to 2020. At that world, he resigned for health reasons. Later, he found that he was returned to a ulcerous colitis íto.

Abe has been succeeded by his close party ally, Yoshihide Suga, who was later replaced by Fumio Kishida.

Incidents with firearms are rare in Japan. Handguns there are forbidden./Periscopi