Shinzo Abe: A humble premier who bonded with Trump
As THE country’s longest-serving prime minister, shinzo Abe fought tirelessly to defend Japan’s interests, both at home and abroad.
The ultra-nationalist spent nine years in office, during which he transformed the country’s economy, bonded with Donald Trump and revived defence policies in a notoriously pacifist country.
The Right-winger, 67, fought to shake off Japan’s shame over its role in the second World War, boosting defence spending and changing the law to let the army fight with allies.
Born into a prominent political family, Mr Abe lived a humble life with his wife, Matsuzaki Akie – so humble, in fact, that the childless couple lived in his mother’s Tokyo apartment even after he became prime minister.
Heralded by Boris Johnson for his ‘global leadership’, Mr Abe became prime minister in 2006 but had to step down a year later, having long suffered from severe ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.
After regaining his health, he re-entered politics in 2012 and led his conservative party to victory with the slogan ‘Taking Back Japan’.
He formed a close relationship with Mr Trump, with whom he often played golf – even giving the former Us president a gold driver.
However, his relationship with Barrack Obama’s administration was more fractured. In 2013, he angered Us officials by worshipping at the controversial Yasukuni shrine, a symbol
‘Dedicated his life to their service’
of Japanese militarism where 14 Japanese war criminals are buried alongside other war dead.
His unapologetic approach to Japan’s right to self-defence also saw him navigate a choppy relationship with China and south Korea.
Mr Abe, who donned a super Mario costume at the 2016 Rio Olympics, will be remembered for ‘Abenomics’ – reforms that lifted Japan’s struggling economy out of deflation.
By championing free trade, increasing public spending, and expanding childcare to encourage more women into the workforce, Japan’s economy grew by 13 per cent over seven years.
But it only turned out to be a partial success. Growth eventually weakened, wage increases slowed, and the country faced a population crisis as deaths far exceeded births.
Then Covid hit and, like many countries, Japan struggled with the economic impact of the pandemic.
In August 2020, after another flare-up of his illness, Mr Abe decided to step down as prime minister for a second time. In an emotional address, he said: ‘I have lost a lot of my energy and strength. It is gut-wrenching to have to leave my job before accomplishing my goals.’
But he continued to be involved in politics, and it was on the campaign trail that he lost his life.
statesmen from around the world lined up to pay tribute to Mr Abe, yesterday.
Us President Joe Biden praised him for ‘his vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific’, adding: ‘Above all, he cared deeply about the Japanese people and dedicated his life to their service.’