Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan was a friend to Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson, the former First Minister has stated.
After being shot at a political event, Abe succumbed to his injuries.
Robinson stated that he was "deeply disturbed by Friday's assassination."
At the G8 summit in County Fermanagh, he met with Japan's leader and former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in June 2013.
Robinson stated that Abe was interested in Northern Ireland when he spoke to BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra.
"There were only two world leaders who went beyond the security bubble. That was the US president and Shinzo abe. He said that they attended two events."
"Shinzo stayed for a second day. We held events in East Belfast. The Odyssey and Japanese investors were also invited.
"He invited Martin and me to Japan, then he followed up."
In connection with the shooting of Mr Abe, a 41-year-old man was arrested. This shocks many people in Japan, one of the safest countries in the world with strict gun control laws.
In December 2013, Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness embarked on a four-day business trip to Japan.
"Unlike many of the other world leaders, he [Abe took an interest in Northern Ireland and what we were doing here," Mr Robinson explained.|Robinson stated that Abe, unlike many other world leaders took an interest in Northern Ireland's activities.}
"He was a truly decent man and one who was, clearly given his position as the head of an extremely significant nation, willing take time out to help Northern Ireland that was trying out to end conflict."
Robinson stated that Abe had "opened up doors for me in Japan."
He said, "The willingness to facilitate that by the prime minister's offices can be very useful, as you can see,"
He was charismatic. He was a person who loved to meet people and was a man of people.
RTE broadcaster Michelle O'Neill, vice president of Sinn Fein, recounted how she met the former leader of Japan in 2013.
She said, "I had the pleasure to greet him as a minister at that time in the executive and had deputised Martin McGuinness. I greeted him off-the plane."
"It's a truly shocking event, and clearly all our thoughts are with the devasted family and the people of Japan."
In a letter addressed to Emperor of Japan, Michael D Higgins, the Irish President, expressed his deep condolences and said that he was deeply saddened by the "appalling" killing.
