Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday expressed condolences to the people of Japan after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated at a campaign event in the city of Nara.
Calling Abe “a great leader” and a “heck of an ally to this country,” DeSantis also said the death will “cast a pall” over upcoming trade meetings hosted by Florida with the Japan Association.
“He understood freedom. He understood the threat posed by China,” DeSantis said during an appearance in Cape Coral. “And he understood the importance of having a strong U.S.-Japan relationship.” Abe, 67, was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, holding the position from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020, when he stepped down citing health reasons.
Abe was shot Friday while giving a campaign speech. Florida in November will host the annual Southeast U.S./Japan Joint Meeting Program in Orlando.
In the news: Florida Cop Pulled Over On His Way To Work After Drinking “3 Tall Boys”, Gets DUI
Florida is one of seven states in the Southeast U.S. that, along with Japan, host on a rotating basis the meetings to increase business ties and investment.
“We’re so looking forward to that. But this news is certainly going to cast a pall over that,” DeSantis said. He added, “We hope that the people of Japan get through this time properly. And we will certainly be keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.”
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Tampa Area Local News, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GiveSendGo or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.
Copyright 2022 The Free Press, LLC, tampafp.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.