Shinzo Abe’s body has returned to Tokyo as police chief, Tomoaki Onizuka says there were “undeniable” security flaws at the event where the former prime minister was gunned down.
The police chief of the prefecture where Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated said he “take[s] responsibility” for security failures that resulted in the killing.
At a press conference on Saturday, Nara Prefectural Police Chief Tomoaki Onizuka said that Abe’s security followed his own approved plan.
“As the regional police chief responsible for safety and security of the region, I took necessary steps and built structures for security and guarding,” he said. “I believe it is undeniable that there were problems with the guarding and safety measures for former Prime Minister Abe.”
“After the first report of the incident came at 11:30 a.m., and the situation was revealed, it was the height of the guilt and regret I’ve felt in my 27 years in law enforcement,” he said. “I feel the weight of my responsibility.”
Abe, 67, was pronounced dead at at 5:03 p.m. local time on Friday, just over five hours after he was shot while delivering a campaign speech in front of a small crowd.
His alleged killer, Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, used a homemade firearm in the attack and was taken into custody at the scene. Police are still investigating the motive for the killing.
The assassination sent shockwaves around the world given the attack happened in broad daylight in a country with one of the world’s lowest rates of gun related violence.
Abe’s body arrived back in Tokyo Saturday afternoon with his widow Akie Abe traveling with her husband’s body to their home. The car was reportedly met by throngs of people lining the streets near Abe’s home.
A funeral will be held over Monday and Tuesday, Abe’s office told CNN.
A wake will be held on Monday, followed by a memorial service on Tuesday.
By Daily Beast
