US President Joe Biden has said he is "stunned, outraged and deeply saddened".

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Biden, like President Barack Obama, worked closely with the former Japanese prime minister when he was US vice-president.

He said: "He was a champion of the alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people.

"The longest serving Japanese prime minister, his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific will endure.

"Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service.

"Even at the moment he was attacked, he was engaged in the work of democracy.

"While there are many details that we do not yet know, we know that violent attacks are never acceptable and that gun violence always leaves a deep scar on the communities that are affected by it.

"The United States stands with Japan in this moment of grief. I send my deepest condolences to his family."