Japan national police chief resigns over Shinzo Abe assassination

"There were shortcomings in the security plans and the risk assessments on which they were based, and direction from the field commander was insufficient," Itaru Nakamura told reporters.

The head of Japan's National Police Agency announced his resignation on August 25 after an investigation confirmed "shortcomings" in the security plans for assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"There were shortcomings in the security plans and the risk assessments on which they were based, and direction from the field commander was insufficient," Itaru Nakamura told reporters.

"The root of this problem lies in the limitations of the current system, which has been in place for years, in which local police bear sole responsibility for providing security," he added.

Mr. Nakamura said he would take responsibility for the failings and step down from his post as police chief.

"We have decided to shake up our personnel and start afresh with our security duties, and that's why I tendered my resignation to the National Public Safety Commission today," he said. Abe was shot and killed on the campaign trail on July 8 in the Nara region.

His suspected killer was detained at the scene and is believed to have targeted Abe because he thought he was linked to the Unification Church.

Abe was Japan's best-known politician and longest-serving Prime Minister, but security was comparatively light as he delivered a stump speech on a street in the western region. Local police in the area have already acknowledged "undeniable" flaws in security for the former leader.