A Shock Wave suddenly strikes at the leaders of the Free World.

Just this week, a number of free-world leaders were surprised to find that their partners are either stepping down or being replaced.

Photo from AP

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassination on Friday shocked the free world, prompting condolences from his political colleagues.

In a country where gun violence is uncommon, the Japanese prime leader was shot while campaigning.

When notified of the murder of his predecessor, Japan's current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, told the media that the shooting was a "despicable and horrible act."

Kishida went on to say that the conduct was a betrayal of democracy.

Furthermore, the White House denounced the "violent act" and stated that it was actively monitoring the situation while extending condolences to Abe's grieving family and the Japanese community.

Condolences flood in for Shinzo Abe's death, from Boris Johnson to Jacinda Ardern.

In a post on Truth Social, former US President Donald Trump called the attack on Shinzo Abe "absolutely terrible" and praised the former Japanese Prime Minister as a "really brilliant man" and a loyal friend of his and America.

According to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the news of the "despicable act" left him "utterly outraged and devastated."

Incredibly sad news about Shinzo Abe.

His global leadership through unchartered times will be remembered by many. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the Japanese people.

The UK stands with you at this dark and sad time.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 8, 2022

Ardern acknowledged in a statement that she had expressed New Zealand's condolences to Japan following the news of Abe's death.

Taking on Twitter, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern voiced her sympathies for Japan's fallen Prime Minister as well as her grievances with her partner in the free world.

So deeply shocked to hear about the past PM of Japan-Shinzo Abe. He was one of the first leaders I met when I became PM. He was deeply committed to his role but also generous & kind. My thoughts are with his wife and the people of Japan. Events like this shake us all to the core.

— Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) July 8, 2022

Meanwhile, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, characterized Abe as a "genuine friend" and a "fierce supporter of multilateralism and democratic ideals."

he also took to Twitter and said he was "shocked and saddened" by the "cowardly attack" on him and sent his sympathies.

It is with deep regret that I have learned of the passing of @AbeShinzo

I will never understand the brutal killing of this great man.

Japan, Europeans mourn with you.

My sincerest condolences to his wife and family.

— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) July 8, 2022

Russia, Australia, and Taiwan offer their condolences on Shinzo Abe's death.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov offered his sorrow to reporters before of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, saying that there will surely be an inquiry.

"At this time, our hearts go out to his family and the people of Japan," Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a tweet.

Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan's president, described Abe as a "true friend of Taiwan." "For many years, he has been a devoted supporter of Taiwan and has spared no effort to strengthen Taiwan-Japan ties," she said on Facebook.

Shocked and saddened by the tragic death of former Japanese PM Abe Shinzo. He was a great friend and ally to Australia. Deepest sympathies to his family and the people of Japan. We mourn with you. pic.twitter.com/ms9Va9OPN4

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) July 8, 2022

The European Commission's President, Ursula Von der Leyen, remarked on Twitter, "A wonderful human being, a brilliant democrat, and a supporter of the multilateral world system has passed away.

I weep with his family, friends, and the whole Japanese people. The horrific and horrible murder of @AbeShinzo has horrified the whole globe."

Japan takes measures in response to the assassination of the previous Prime Minister.

Following the murder of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Japanese establishment reacted by ordering increased security for the country's leading politicians on Friday.

Photo by Adrien Bruneau on Unsplash

Earlier, during a press conference, Kishida called the attack on his predecessor, Shinzo Abe, "barbaric and cruel," underlining that such activities "cannot be authorized" on Japanese territory.

"Shinzo Abe had done very well as Prime Minister," an emotional Japanese PM Fumio Kishida recalled as he paid tribute to his predecessor who was assassinated on Friday. Abe, 67, stepped down as Prime Minister in September 2020 after becoming the longest-serving PM in Japan's history over two terms, from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.

Abe was a popular leader who championed a variety of political and strategic goals, from Japanese nationalism and military de-pacifism to the establishment of the QUAD and the implementation of the 'Abenomics' set of economic ideas in an effort to break Japan out of stagflation.