Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe has died following 'barbaric' shooting

Local fire service official Makoto Morimoto said the 67-year-old Mr Abe was not breathing and his heart had stopped while being airlifted to hospital.

In this image from a video, Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, is attended on the ground in Nara, western Japan. Picture: Kyodo News via AP

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has died after being shot during a campaign speech, according to NHK television.

Mr Abe was shot from behind minutes after he started his speech on Friday in Nara in western Japan.