Japanese police chief resigns on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination

It was made known by Nakamura himself, the general commissioner of the National Police Agency, at the press conference held on the morning of August 25th, on results of the investigation into security shortcomings during the election rally held by former Prime Minister Abe in Nara.

“There were shortcomings in the security plans and risk assessments on which they were based, and directives from the field commander were insufficient,” Itaru Nakamura told reporters.

The root of this problem lies in the restrictions of the current system, which has been in existence for years, and where local police bear the sole responsibility for providing security,” he added.

Nakamura said he would take responsibility for the failures and leave his post as chief of police.

“We have decided to shake up our personnel and start over with our security tasks, and that's why I submitted my resignation to the National Public Security Commission today,” he said.

Abe was shot and killed during an electoral meeting on July 8th in the Nara region. His assassin was detained at the scene and is believed to have targeted Abe because he thought he was connected to the Church of Unification.

Abe was Japan's best-known politician, and the longest-lived prime minister, but security was relatively low as he delivered a speech on a street in the western region.

Local police in the area have already acknowledged the undeniable “ ” shortcomings in the former leader's security.

The man suspected of killing Abe, Tetsuya Yamaami, is undergoing psychiatric evaluation to determine his condition at the time of the assassination. Prosecutors are expected to determine whether Yamame can take criminal responsibility on the basis of the examination, before making a decision on whether to incriminate him.

Yamama's mother is reported to have made large donations to the church, which her son blamed for the family's financial difficulties.

Abe's family held a private funeral for him shortly after his death, but a state funeral is being organised, with leaders from around the world expected to attend the event on September 27th. / REL/