NHK reported on Friday that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died at 5:03 p.m. local time after being shot while giving a speech in the city of Nara on Friday.
Medical professionals at Nara Medical University Hospital where Abe was brought said in a press conference that Abe had two gunshot wounds in his neck.
NHK reports that Yamagami was a former member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force for three years until 2005.
Japan is planning to hold a House of Councillors election on Sunday, and Abe was campaigning for a local candidate in Nara.