The president of the Japanese American Association of New York said Friday that he was shocked over news that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed.

Abe was shot during a campaign speech Friday in western Japan, hospital officials said.

"I just could not believe it," said Koji Sato, president of the Japanese American Association of New York. "It's just, it's unthinkable in Japan, where gun violence is so rare, and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire Abe family."

Abe was Japan's longest-serving leader before stepping down in 2020.