Japanese mayor shot outside station

The mayor of the south-western Japanese city of Nagasaki was shot outside a train station today and is in critical condition, news reports said.

Mayor Iccho Ito was shot as he campaigned for local elections on a street near his office, just in front of Nagasaki train station, according to public broadcaster NHK.

He did not appear to respond to efforts by office staff to resuscitate him before he was rushed to hospital, NHK said.

A man has been detained over the shooting, which took place shortly before 8pm (midday Irish time) today, NHK said.

Footage from Nagasaki showed several police officers escorting a man into a police car, and an ambulance leaving the scene.

No other information was immediately available. Other broadcasters carried similar reports.

Local policeman Junji Nanayama said authorities were trying to confirm the media reports.