In Memoriam: Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo

In Memoriam

​On 8 July 2022, near Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara City, former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was struck down by an assassin’s bullet while delivering a stump speech for the House of Councillors election. On hearing this tragic news, all members and associates of the NPO Vietnamese Association in Japan were stunned and could not hide their shock and dismay.

On behalf of our Association, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the Liberal Democratic Party, the Government of Japan, and the Japanese people, and pray that the late Mr. Abe may rest in peace.

The assailant’s brutal act in the midst of an election campaign is itself a desecration of a democratic state. Precisely because Japan is a democracy, however, we earnestly hope that justice will be carried out fairly under the rule of law.

We also pray that the upcoming House of Councillors election on 10 July will be conducted safely and securely, overcoming this tragedy and serving to further strengthen Japan’s democracy.

Looking at “Abenomics” from many angles, it stands as one of former Prime Minister Abe’s major achievements that he changed the prevailing mood of stagnation in Japan at the time. The many Vietnamese living and working in Japan have also benefited from those reforms.

Even after stepping down from the office of Prime Minister, his energetic political engagement — drafting policy proposals and working on national security — left a vivid impression on us all.

The sense of loss left by the news of former Prime Minister Abe’s death is profound, not only for Japan but for other democratic nations as well.

We sincerely hope that Japan will overcome this enormous loss as soon as possible, continue to develop even more strongly, and remain a model for friendly nations around the world.

President, NPO Vietnamese Association in Japan

NGUYEN PHUONG KHANH