https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/08/japan-ex-leader-shinzo-abe-assassinated-while-giving-speech/ > By MARI YAMAGUCHI, CHISATO TANAKA and FOSTER KLUG > NARA, Japan (AP) — Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a divisive arch-conservative and one of his nation’s most powerful and influential figures, has died after being shot during a campaign speech Friday in western Japan, hospital officials said.