Politicians vow not to let assassination of their longest-serving PM stop democratic process, as tributes continue to pour in

The body of Shinzo Abe has begun its journey back to Tokyo as politicians prepared to resume campaigning for Sunday’s upper house elections in the shadow of the assassination of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister.

On Saturday morning, a hearse thought to be carrying the body of Abe and accompanied by his wife, Akie, left the hospital in Kashihara where the former prime minister was treated after being shot from behind by a gunman during a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. The hearse is believed to be heading towards his residence in Tokyo, national broadcaster NHK reported.