Former US President Barack Obama has released a statement following the assassination of Shinzo Abe.
Obama, who worked closely with Abe when they were both leaders of their respective countries, said: “I am shocked and saddened by the assassination of my friend and long-time partner Shinzo Abe in Japan.
“Former prime minister Abe was devoted to both the country he served and the extraordinary alliance between the United States and Japan.
“I will always remember the work we did to strengthen our alliance, the moving experience of traveling to Hiroshima and Pearl Harbor together, and the grace he and his wife Akie Abe showed to me and Michelle.
“Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the people of Japan who are very much in our thoughts at this painful moment.”
