Japanβs former prime minister Shinzo Abe is said to be in grave condition after he was shot at a political campaign event.
Mr Abe was shot at twice while he was giving a speech in the southern city of Nara on Friday morning.
He immediately collapsed and was rushed to the nearest hospital.
Pictures taken at the scene showed him bleeding.
Security officials at the scene tackled the gunman, and the 41-year-old suspect is now in police custody.
In an emotional press conference shortly after, prime minister Fumio Kishida told reporters that Mr Abe was in a βvery grave conditionβ.
βCurrently doctors are doing everything they can,β said Mr Kishida who appeared to be holding back tears, adding that he was βpraying from his heartβ that Mr Abe would survive.
He also condemned the attack, saying: βIt is barbaric and malicious and it cannot be tolerated.β
