Ex-Japan PM Abe dead after shooting — local media

Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe has been confirmed dead after he was shot at a campaign event on Friday, public broadcaster NHK and Jiji news agency reported.

"According to a senior LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) official, former prime minister Abe died at a hospital in Kashihara city, Nara region, where he was receiving medical treatment. He was 67," NHK said. 

Hidetada Fukushima, professor of emergency medicine at Nara Medical University hospital, said Abe was in a state of cardiac arrest when he arrived.

"Shinzo Abe was transported at 12:20 pm. He was in a state of cardiac arrest upon arrival," Fukushima said.

"Resuscitation was administered. However, unfortunately he died at 5:03 pm," he told reporters.

Abe was flown to hospital by helicopter after a shooter opened fire while the former prime minister was delivering a campaign speech in the western region of Nara.

But he was already showing no vital signs by the time he reached the hospital, with bullet wounds to the neck and chest. One bullet appeared to have entered through his left shoulder.

Abe died of blood loss, despite being administered blood transfusions in large quantities, Fukushima added.

The former prime minister's wife Akie Abe arrived at the hospital earlier on Friday afternoon and Fukushima said the family had been informed of Abe's death. — Agence France-Presse