Japanese React to Shinzo Abe’s Assassination | Street Interview

Japanese React to Shinzo Abe’s Assassination | Street Interview

On July 8, 2022 former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died after being shot during a campaign speech. He was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister and played a significant role in the country’s political landscape. His assassination sent out shock waves globally and across Japan, especially given that Japan has one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the world. Our Asian Boss reporter hit the streets of Tokyo to find out how the Japanese feel about Abe’s death and a gun crime like this.

The opinions expressed in this video are those of individual interviewees alone and do not reflect the views of ASIAN BOSS or the general Japanese population.

0:00 - Intro

0:44 - Public reactions 

3:31 - What has been reported so far? 

4:34 - Why was Abe shot after he stepped down from his prime minister role? 

6:35 - How popular was Abe in Japan? 

8:00 - How common are gun crimes in Japan?

9:00 - Perceptions of guns in Japan

11:16 - Do you feel less safe now after this incident? 

12:19 - Do you think similar political gun crimes could happen again in Japan? 

14:12 - What do you think is an appropriate punishment for the suspect?

16:36 - Shinzo Abe’s legacy