Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was assassinated on July 8 while giving a campaign speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Japan on September 27 to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday.

Prime Minister Modi will separately meet the current Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, while in Tokyo, the MEA added.

Abe, a former Japanese prime minister, was killed on July 8 after a shooter opened fire on him from behind while he was giving a campaign speech on a street in Nara prefecture, Japan.

He was taken to a local hospital by helicopter after the event, where he ultimately passed away from his wounds. Following the unfortunate occurrence, a number of foreign leaders expressed their sympathies with Japan and with Abe's family.

It is noteworthy that the late Japanese Prime Minister and Prime Minister Modi had a close friendship. Upon Abe's passing on July 8, PM Modi stated that he was "shocked and saddened beyond words." Additionally, he praised Abe for his excellent leadership and amazing administration and his efforts to improve both Japan and the globe.

PM Modi also praised him for his role in elevating India and Japan's relationship to the status of a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership." In addition to paying respect to Abe, PM Modi remembered their first encounter in 2007, when he visited Tokyo as Gujarat's Chief Minister.