Update: Former PM of Japan Shinzo Abe has been confirmed dead after being shot by the gunman.
Former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, collapsed while giving a speech in Nara, Japan on 8 July at about 11.30am.
A gunshot was reportedly heard twice, by an NHK reporter who was at the scene at the time.
NHK reported that the Japanese police officials said that Abe appeared to have been fired upon by a shotgun from behind, and he was seen bleeding.
The fire department of Japan also issued a statement stating that Abe si in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest, and is due to be sent to another hospital via an air ambulance, according to NHK.
He had been conveyed to the hospital while bleeding, as reported by Reuters.
Image source: Shinzo Abe Facebook and @Global_Mil_Info on Twitter