AKIPRESS.COM - Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was attacked with what appeared to be a shotgun on Friday while making a street speech in the western city of Nara. He is believed to have been gravely injured, Nikkei Asia reported.

According to the Nara City Fire Department, Abe is unconscious and is thought to be in cardiac arrest. Officials from his Liberal Democratic Party said the former prime minister was attacked from behind, and that the weapon seemed to be a shotgun.

The Nara Prefectural Police have arrested the alleged shooter, holding him on suspicion of attempted murder.

Abe was rushed to a hospital in Nara Prefecture by helicopter.

The longtime leader was stumping for the LDP ahead of Sunday's upper house election. According to LDP headquarters, Abe was scheduled to visit Nara, Kyoto and Saitama prefectures on Friday in support of the party's upper house candidates.