U.S. President Joe Biden visits the Japanese ambassador's residence in Washington to send condolences and pay tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, July 8, 2022.

World leaders expressed shock and sadness after former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed Friday in western Japan while giving a campaign speech.

Biden offered condolences to Abe’s family, “This is a tragedy for Japan and for all who knew him,” he said in a statement.

Biden spoke about his personal connection with Abe.

“I had the privilege to work closely with Prime Minister Abe. As vice president, I visited him in Tokyo and welcomed him to Washington. He was a champion of the alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people,” Biden said. “The longest-serving Japanese prime minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure.

"Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service. Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.”

Biden said he had ordered the U.S flag to be flown at half-staff to honor Abe.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement saying, “Prime Minister Abe was a global leader and unwavering ally and friend of the United States, whose vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific lifted our alliance cooperation to new heights.”

Current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned the “unforgivable act,” saying, “The free and fair election, which is the root of democracy, needs to be protected no matter what. We will not be defeated by violence.”

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