President Joe Biden held a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and former President Donald Trump has been talking to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe about attending Abe’s funeral.
Abe, 67, was assassinated on Friday during an election campaign speech in Nara, Japan, by a man with a handmade gun. Abe’s death was officially declared hours later.
Biden called Kishida over the phone on Friday “to express his outrage, sadness, and deep condolences on the tragic and violent shooting death of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo,” according to a White House readout of the call.
“The President underscored that he and the American people stand with the Prime Minister and the people of Japan in their time of mourning,” the readout states.
“The President noted the importance of Prime Minister Abe’s enduring legacy with his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and the establishment of the QUAD meetings of Japan, the United States, Australia, and India.
“The President noted our unwavering confidence in the strength of Japan’s democracy and the two leaders discussed how Abe Shinzo’s legacy will live on as we continue the important task of defending peace and democracy.”
The White House also published a joint statement on Friday from Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing shock at Abe’s assassination.
“Abe was a transformative leader for Japan and for Japanese relations with each one of our countries. He also played a formative role in the founding of the Quad partnership, and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” they said.
“Our hearts are with the people of Japan—and Prime Minister Kishida— in this moment of grief. We will honor Prime Minister Abe’s memory by redoubling our work towards a peaceful and prosperous region.”
Trump Considering Attending Funeral
Trump separately told Breitbart in an exclusive interview that he has been talking to Abe’s family following the former Japanese prime minister’s death.
According to a report published Friday from the outlet, when asked if he would attend Abe’s funeral, Trump said, “We’re going to see how it goes. We’re talking to their family … We’re going to see about that, we’re talking about that right now.”
“We love the family. His wife is a phenomenal woman,” the former president added. “[Abe] is so loved in Japan. I can imagine that is going to be an incredible celebration of life.”
Trump shared that Abe was the first world leader that he met after he took office as president of the United States in 2016.
“He was just very special. Every aspect of that man was just very special. You know, he was the first person I saw? Do you remember he came early? He came right after the election—he was the first person I saw. But we had a special relationship,” Trump said.
From The Epoch Times
