Former Japan PM Abe dead after gunshot attack

Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe, the country's best-known politician and longest-serving leader, died on Friday after being shot at a campaign event.

Abe was speaking at a campaign rally in the western region of Nara when the attack occurred.

He was standing on a stage in front of the Yamato-Saidaiji railway station, stumping for Kei Sato, a candidate for Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

At about 11:30 am local time, footage shows that a man dressed in a grey top and brown trousers began moving towards Abe from behind.

He fired at least two apparent gunshots, with a cloud of smoke emerging and terrified spectators ducking to the ground.

Abe collapsed, visibly bleeding, and bystanders began to administer cardiac massage, witnesses said.

He was pronounced dead by the hospital in the afternoon.

"Shinzo Abe was transported to (the hospital) at 12:20 pm. He was in a state of cardiac arrest upon arrival. Resuscitation was administered. However, unfortunately he died at 5:03 pm," said Hidetada Fukushima, the hospital's professor of emergency medicine.

Abe suffered a gunshot wound to the right side of his neck

Police sources told local media that a 41-year-old named Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested after the attack on charges of attempted murder.

Several outlets, citing the defence ministry, said Yamagami had spent three years in Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force, the country's navy, leaving the service around 2005.