The body of murdered former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is back in Tokyo, a day after he was shot dead while on the campaign trail in the old imperial city Nara.

His body was accompanied by his widow, Akie Abe, as it was transported by ambulance.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida paid a condolence visit.

Well-wishers have been leaving flowers at the site of the shooting.

Meanwhile, the man who shot and killed the former prime minister on Friday has told investigators that he originally intended his target to be the leader of a religious group, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Saturday.

The 41-year-old Japanese man who shot Mr Abe from behind with a homemade gun at close range during an election campaign speech in the city of Nara told investigators he had been “dissatisfied” with Mr Abe and had wanted to kill him.

The man reportedly held a grudge against an unnamed religious group that he believed had links to Mr Abe.

The Japanese police now face many questions about how the shooting could have happened, with experts asking why those working in Mr Abe’s security detail could not prevent the attack.

“I don’t think there are enough firearms precautions in Japan given its strict gun laws,” one security expert was quoted as saying by the Nikkei newspaper.

The National Police Agency now intends to review its security arrangements for the protection of prominent figures, according to media reports.

The police searched the perpetrator’s flat on Friday, seizing several other homemade firearms.

The assassin was reportedly unemployed but is believed to have served in the navy for three years before his discharge in 2005.

It is believed that the suspect received handgun training during his time in the navy.

The assassination happened in the run-up to elections for the upper house of parliament on Sunday.

The vote is to take place as planned despite the attack, according to the government. 

(dpa/NAN)