Tokyo: Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe was shot while giving a speech in western Japan's Nara prefecture, according to The Japan Times.
The 67-year-old leader is showing no vital signs having rushed to the hospital after being shot in the chest, according to news agency AFP.
According to local media Abe appeared to be in a state of cardio-respiratory arrest, which otherwise means in Japan a state before a feared death can be confirmed by a doctor.
Abe was giving a stump speech at a venue here ahead of Sunday's upper house polls when gunshots were heard, according NHK.
Afterwards, the ex-leader collapsed bleeding from the neck just as people rushed over to help him.
Abe was reportedly attacked from behind at 11.30 am, and the police arrested a 42-year-old suspect who is being questioned.
The country's chief cabinet secretary is expected to address the media at around 0400 GMT (9.30 am IST), reported Reuters.
Abe is the longest-serving PM who stepped down in 2020 after a chronic illness worsened.
He shared a close relationship with India, visiting the country in 2006, 2014, 2015 and 2017.