A team of board members of the Japanese official Mitsubishi Distributors for Rwanda and Burundi, Greenleaf Motors Limited, on Thursday, July 14, paid a courtesy visit to Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda, Masahiro IMAI, to offer their condolences to Japanese Fraternity in Rwanda for the loss of deceased former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The 67-year-old was shot dead last Friday, July 8, while delivering a campaign speech on the street in Nara in southern Japan, a shocking act of violence in a country with one of the world's lowest rates of gun crime.

Across Tokyo, flags are flying at half-mast and outside the temple, a long line of mourners, many carrying bunches of flowers, stretched over two blocks.

During the visit, Greenleaf Motors Board Chair, Eddy Sebera along with the Board Member Richard Mugisha and Ben Micheal Kiiza all wrote in the condolences book to express words of comfort to the Japanese fraternity and particularly the family of Prime Minister Abe in a note of condolences that reads;

Greenleaf Motors Board Chair, Eddy Sebera along with the Board Member Richard Mugisha and Ben Micheal Kiiza wrote in the condolences book to express words of comfort on July 14. Dan Nsengiyumva

"Our deepest condolences. We stand with the government and the people of Japan during this difficult time as you come to terms with the demise of Prime Minister Abe. Our prayers to the all the people of Japan and Particularly to the family of Prime Minister Abe”

Sebera told The New Times that, "as a company that promotes Japanese vehicles on the local market, it is noble that we join the people of Japan in this sad moment, following the passing of their longest serving Prime Minister."

"This is a sad moment not only for the country but also for us who represent the Japanese [car] brand here in Rwanda. As friends of the embassy, we felt it was important for us to come and present our sincere condolences,” he said.

The Japanese envoy welcomed the condolences from the company Board members and thanked them for their ‘solidarity’ and sympathy expressed at the passing of the deceased Abe.

"We really appreciate their solidarity and friendship. All of them are Rwandan people and we consider their company as Japanese because the company really concentrates on promoting Japanese technologies, services and goods. They are our friends,” Imai told The New Times.

Abe’s funeral was held at Tokyo's Zojoji temple on Tuesday, with relatives and close acquaintances in attendance.

(L-R )Greenleaf Motors Board Chair, Eddy Sebera along with the Board Member Richard Mugisha and Ben Micheal Kiiza with Japanese Ambassador to Rwanda, Masahiro IMAI .