Former Japanese chief Shinzo Abe, who was the longest-serving prime minister in Japan’s historical past, died on Friday after being shot whereas delivering a speech at a marketing campaign occasion in western Japan. He was 67.
DW takes a have a look at his legacy — and the affect that his political tenure has had on each the nation and the world.
Abe’s legacy
Throughout his lifetime, Abe divided opinion throughout the nation. To his critics, Abe represented a conservative Japan, downplaying Japan’s wartime atrocities.
In a speech in 2015, when Japan marked 70 years since its defeat in World Warfare II, Abe expressed “profound grief” for struggle victims, however stopped in need of apologizing.
The previous prime minister was seen as having a blended legacy after his resignation in 2020 (FILE: December 2021)
“The defining factor of his profession was historic revisionism,” mentioned German historian Sven Saaler of Tokyo’s Sophia College. Saaler cited the whitewashing of Japan’s wartime previous in class textbooks and the reintroduction of morality classes as distinguished examples.
Abe’s guarantees of constructing a “robust and affluent Japan” had been paying homage to the imperialist motto of the Meji period: “wealthy nation, robust military.”
Abe additionally sought to revise the pacifist structure that he believed was imposed on Japan in 1946 by the US.
Nonetheless, Abe was by no means in a position to understand his lifelong dream of reforms.
His supporters regarded him as a realistic chief who strengthened Japan’s financial system and partnership with the US “in order that Japan would by no means be relegated to a second-class nation” — as he as soon as mentioned.
Abe sought to chill out financial coverage and pursue excessive authorities spending, and struck main commerce agreements with the European Union and the Pacific Rim nations.
Throughout his tenure, Japan opened as much as overseas staff, buyers and vacationers as by no means earlier than, and proved {that a} developed financial system can develop regardless of a shrinking inhabitants.
Abe resigned as prime minister in 2020 attributable to a power well being situation that he had battled for years.
Shinzo Abe on the Liberal Democratic Celebration’s headquarters in Tokyo after being elected chief of the foremost opposition get together on September 26, 2012
Balancing superpowers
Abe additionally introduced Japan nearer to different nations within the Asian continent.
Along with his imaginative and prescient of a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” the politician raised consciousness throughout Asia of China’s ambitions overseas and strengthened financial ties between Japan and the area via an aggressive funding coverage.
“India and Southeast Asia welcomed a extra assertive Japan as a proactive and stabilizing regional affect,” mentioned Yoichi Funabashi, chairman of the Asia Pacific Institute suppose tank, following Abe’s 2020 resignation.
The historic energy wrestle between China and the US, which escalated considerably throughout Abe’s tenure, compelled him to stroll a tightrope between the 2 superpowers. In doing so, he succeeded in each increasing the safety alliance with the US, in addition to defending commerce with China — Japan’s most vital financial companion from injury via an expanded interpretation of the Japanese structure.
Abe additionally efficiently pitched for Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympic Video games, promising that the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant was “underneath management.”
However Abe had lamented an unfinished peace cope with Russia, with each Tokyo and Moscow nonetheless at odds over the destiny of the 4 disputed Kuril Islands.
Shinzo Abe (left) was key participant within the profitable bid to have Tokyo host the Olympic Summer time Video games
Weak opposition
Abe’s document size in workplace has been facilitated by weak and fragmented opposition events, in addition to his supply of home financial prosperity and stability.
German Japan skilled Sebastian Maslow mentioned, “The institution of political stability may be highlighted as his key success.” He added that Abe had rehabilitated the Liberal Democratic Celebration after years of inner energy struggles and monetary scandals, making them match to manipulate once more.
The years between 2009 and 2012 had been chaotic for the conservative get together as a result of inexperience of its politicians and the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe. Voters did not dare experiment, and remained loyal to Abe.
Born in Tokyo in 1954, Abe was born right into a politically distinguished and rich household. His father Shintaro Abe was overseas minister, his great-uncle Eisaku Sato was prime minister, as was his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi.