Southern Japan's Nagasaki city Mayor Itcho Ito died on early Wednesday after being shot on Tuesday evening during campaigning for reelection in front of the city's central railway station.

Iccho Ito (File Photo)

Ito died of blood loss at 2:28 a.m. after four hours of futile emergency operation at the Nagasaki University Hospital of Medicine and Dentistry, Kyodo News reported, quoting local police.

The 7:52 p.m. accident first left the mayor in a condition of unconsciousness without heartbeat, according to NHK.

The 61-year-old mayor was shot twice in the back from about 1 meter behind after getting off his campaign vehicle, local police said.

The gunman, 59, who is acting leader of a gang affiliated with Japan's largest organized crime syndicate the Yamaguchi-gumi, was arrested at the scene and acknowledged that he shot at the mayor.

The gunman had trouble with the city office on public work bidding, Kyodo News said.

Police got a revolver at the scene. Motive of the shooting is still under investigation.

Ito was on his third four-year term as mayor of the southwestern Japanese city.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet