Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot while giving a speech.

The 67-year-old politician is in cardiopulmonary arrest, a term often used before a death is officially confirmed.

The videos of the moment of his injury have already started circulating on social networks, Telegrafi reports.

The media report that the attacker was arrested at the scene.

BREAKING:

This is the video footage of the first shot being fired.

Reports say that the first shot was a miss and the second shot struck Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in the chest.

#ShinzoAbe #Japan @pradip103 pic.twitter.com/kAgb2h3Xiz

— Jan Ki Baat (@jankibaat1) July 8, 2022

“Former Prime Minister Abe was shot at around 11:30 local time in Nara.

A man, believed to be the shooter, has been arrested.

Former Prime Minister Abe's condition is currently unknown," Chief of Staff Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters.

Abe was said to be "conscious and responsive" while being transported after the shooting, citing police sources.

The police also seized the gun of the attacker and identified him.

Local media reports say the attacker is believed to be a former member of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, the local equivalent of a marine.

Incidents of gun violence are rare in Japan, where handguns are banned – and incidents of political violence are almost unheard of.

In 2014, there were only six gun murders in Japan.

People have to pass a strict background check and mental health tests to buy a gun – and even then, only shotguns and air rifles are allowed.

/Telegraph/

🇯🇵 El momento del disparo al former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Según la policía, el politico estuo consciente durante un tiempo, pero luego su condición se volívo crítica, con un paro cardiací y pulmonar.

pic.twitter.com/kcAsjhdLax

— ★☭ Dani (@DaniilSuspended) July 8, 2022