TOKYO, July 08 (AFP)- Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he was "lost for words" after the assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe on Friday (Jul 8), vowing that Japan's democracy would "never yield to violence".

"I was praying that his life would be saved, but despite that, I came to learn of (his death)," a visibly emotional Kishida told reporters.

"It is truly regrettable. I am lost for words. I offer my sincere condolences and prayers that his soul may rest in peace."

Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister who stepped down in 2020 for health reasons, was shot dead while campaigning in the western Nara region ahead of Sunday's upper house election.

"During this election period, a despicable and barbaric act was committed, taking the life of former prime minister Abe. This is unforgivable. We condemn it once again in the strongest terms," Kishida said.