Former PM Abe Shinzo dies after being shot (www3.nhk.or.jp)

Article summary

Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot and killed. The weapon used was reportedly an improvised shotgun. Details about the shooting and the assassin are being discussed, including the ease of making such a weapon and the availability of ammunition in Japan. The incident occurred just before an election in Japan.

Main themes

• Abe Shinzo assassination
• improvised shotgun
• gun control
• Japanese election
• security measures
• comparisons to other assassinations

What commenters say

• The assassin's use of an improvised shotgun suggests that they may have been able to circumvent Japan's strict gun control laws.
• The ease of making a homemade shotgun raises concerns about the effectiveness of gun control regulations.
• Some commentators argue that the assassin's ability to get close to the target was due to their ability to blend in with the crowd, who were largely wearing masks.
• The incident may have significant ramifications for the upcoming election in Japan, potentially leading to sympathy votes for Abe's party.
• The use of a homemade weapon in the assassination highlights the difficulty of preventing such attacks through gun control alone.
• The security measures in place at the time of the shooting have been questioned, with some commentators suggesting that they were inadequate.
• The incident has drawn comparisons to other high-profile assassinations, including the murder of British MP Jo Cox and Swedish foreign minister Anna Lindh.