Biden Offers Condolences To Kishida Over Abe's Death
US President Joe Biden has called Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and offered condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
The two leaders talked over the phone for about 10 minutes from 8 a.m. on Saturday, Japan time.
The White House said Biden called Kishida "to express his outrage, sadness and deep condolences on the tragic and violent shooting death" of Abe.
It said Biden noted the importance of Abe's "enduring legacy" in the international community, and underscored that the president and the American people stand with Kishida and the people of Japan in their time of mourning.
Japanese officials said Biden praised Abe's role in deepening Japan-US relations.
They said Kishida thanked Biden for the condolences, and said the despicable and barbaric act, which took place in the middle of an election, which represents the very essence of democracy, is "entirely unforgivable."
Kishida was also quoted as saying that as prime minister, he will never yield to violence and will protect democracy at all costs.
He later told reporters that he had a renewed sense of commitment to deepening the Japan-US ties, to follow the wishes of the late former prime minister.