Body of former Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe arrives in Tokyo

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - The body of Shinzo Abe, the slain former Japanese prime minister, was returned to Tokyo on Saturday afternoon accompanied by his wife.

A hearse from the western city of Nara, where he was treated after being shot from behind by a gunman during a Friday campaign speech, arrived at his residence in Tokyo.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited the home to express condolences.

Japanese media said a wake for Abe, 67, would be held on Monday, with a funeral for close relatives the next day.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) – the party that Abe once led – and other parties vowed not to let the assassination interfere with the democratic process.

Abe, 67, the longest-serving premier in Japanese history, succumbed to his injuries after around five hours of treatment.

Abe sustained injuries to the right side of his neck when a 41-year-old assailant opened fire on him early Friday.

Abe was delivering a speech seeking votes for a ruling Liberal Democratic Party candidate in Sunday’s elections to the upper house of the country's parliament.