Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot dead

Former Japanese Prime Minister and international leader Shinzo Abe has died.

He was shot by a young man while delivering a speech on Friday morning.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead at the age of 67 during a speech in Japan on Friday, the broadcaster NHK reported, citing the office of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Abe died some time ago while undergoing treatment.

According to officials, Abe was shot in the neck. Two rounds of gunfire can be heard in the video footage of the incident.

Police have arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and recovered a home-made gun, NHK reported.

According to NHK, police have arrested Tetsuya Yamagami, a 40-year-old resident of Nara, who was involved in the shooting. The NHK said the man did not attempt to flee and was being held at Nara Nishi Police Station for questioning.

Moments after video footage of the incident was heard, police officers were seen wrestling with the suspect on the ground near the spot where Abe was standing.

Abe was the longest-serving Japanese prime minister in history. He resigned as leader in 2020 citing health reasons.

The cause of Abe's murder has not been revealed.