Despite the presence of police officers, a man was able to approach and fatally shoot former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a street speech in Nara City on Friday. It seems likely that there were problems with the security system and personal protection measures at the scene.
The venue for the street speech, part of the campaign for Sunday’s House of Councillors election, was in front of Kintetsu Railway Co.’s Yamato-Saidaiji Station, near a large commercial complex. The spot is well trafficked and has been used frequently in the past for campaign speeches.
Abe stood for his speech in a guardrail-enclosed area between the sidewalk and the roadway. Behind him was the roadway, with cars driving on it. Abe was on a platform, speaking to the audience in front of him.