State Administration Council Chairman and Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has sent a message of condolences to the Japanese Prime Minister for the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe, the state-run newspapers reported.

In the message, the Senior General said he was deeply saddened and shocked to hear the news that former Prime Minister of Japan Mr Shinzo Abe was assassinated by a gunman in Nara City on July 8, 2022, strongly condemning the cowardly terrorist act with a lack of rationality.

He said, on behalf of the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the people, offered his condolences to the Japanese government and family members of Mr Shinzo Abe.

The Japanese people will keep the exemplary sacrifices of Mr Abe for the sake of Japan and its people in their hearts forever. Mr Abe is a genuinely good friend and old friend of Myanmar. Myanmar people will remember his endeavours with a vow to further cement the friendly relations and partnership between the two countries forever. During the moaning period, Myanmar people will be sharing the sorrow with the Japanese people for the death of Mr Abe, the message said.

The message added that the SAC chair had also sent a message of condolences to Mrs Abe Akie, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe.