Australia Japan Business Council, our members and greater community are appalled and deeply saddened by the brutal killing today of former Prime Minister of Japan and global world leader, Abe Shinzo.

Abe san was a great friend of Australia.   We, in Western Australia, well remember his visit as Prime Minister of Japan in 2014 to the Pilbara region of Western Australia at the invitation of the then Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Colin Barnett.

We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Abe Shinzo.

Abe san was a great supporter of free international trade and the advancement of liberal representative democracies, of which Japan has become such a global exemplar.

The longevity and depth of the Australian and Japanese bilateral partnership and our trade, investment and cultural linkages have been a constant in these tumultuous times in world geo-politics.  Abe san was an influential supporter of that model as demonstrated by his singular support of the respectful Japan – Australian relationship.  It offers a trusted model for future international growth and development between all liberal representative democracies across the globe.

It is distressing to lose a truly global figure in this tragic manner.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the Japanese peoples in Japan, Australia and everywhere else.