US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said he was “saddened and shocked” by the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a campaign party.

“We are saddened and shocked by the shooting of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who was an outstanding leader of Japan and a staunch ally of the United States,” Emmanuel said. “The United States government and the American people pray for the comfort of Abe, his family, and the people of Japan,” he added.

On Friday, Japanese media reported that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe showed no vital signs after he was taken to hospital after an apparent attack during a campaign event in Nara Prefecture.

National broadcaster NHK reported that a man was arrested for attempted murder after Abe was shot dead.

The channel quoted the local fire department as saying that Abe was apparently suffering from heart and respiratory failure, a phrase used in Japan before his death was officially confirmed. There was no immediate confirmation from police or fire officials contacted by AFP.

The former Japanese prime minister was attacked on Friday and was seen bleeding to death during an event in the western city of Nara, according to local media reports.

Several media outlets, including the Kyodo news agency, reported on the attack on the former prime minister. Kyodo and NHK reported hearing gunshots at the scene.