Shinzo Abe, Former Japanese Prime Minister, Is Assassinated

TOKYO—Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, died after being shot twice on Friday while giving an election campaign speech, sending shock waves through the political establishment and a country unaccustomed to gun violence.

Mr. Abe, who was 67 years old, was prime minister until late 2020 and was one of Japan’s best known but polarizing politicians. He was shot in the chest and near the neck by a man who approached him from behind as he spoke at around 11:30 a.m. in the city of Nara, according to witnesses, authorities and video footage.