Cover Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference at the prime minister official residence. (Photo: Getty Images)
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a press conference at the prime minister official residence. (Photo: Getty Images)
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Following his untimely passing, we look back at the legacy of Japan's longest-serving prime minister
Japan is currently mourning the loss of its former prime minister, Shinzo Abe, who was shot during a campaign speech on July 8. Abe left an incredible impact on his country, both during his term and after.
In his eulogy, current Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: “Mr Abe held the heavy responsibility as prime minister of Japan, guiding the country in a difficult domestic and international environment with his outstanding leadership and ability to execute.”
He also described Mr Abe as a personal friend who loved Japan and who always acted in the interest of his country and its future. He added that Mr Abe left behind an “invaluable legacy”.
True enough, Mr Abe was an excellent politician and leader. Below are just a few of his greatest contributions.
Read more: Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Dies After Shooting
1. He served in Japan’s government since 1993
Mr Abe was born in 1954 to a prominent political family. Both his grandfather and great-uncle served as prime ministers in Japan and his father was a former secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Mr Abe himself was first elected to Japan’s House of Representatives in 1993. His skill was quickly recognised and after holding a variety of cabinet positions, he was made the secretary-general of the LDP in 2003.
Four years after this, he was named LDP’s party president and soon after, became the prime minister of Japan.
2. He is Japan’s longest-serving prime minister
Did you know that Mr Abe was Japan’s longest-serving prime minister? He served two separate terms as Japan’s leader. The first was from 2006 to 2007. He stepped down after a year due to his health as he was suffering from ulcerative colitis. Five years after that, however, he made a comeback and served the country as prime minister from 2012 to 2020.
His second term was actually the longest consecutive term that a Japanese head of government has had.
3. He completely transformed Japan’s defence strategy
During his time as prime minister, Mr Abe oversaw major changes to Japan’s defence system and paved the way for them to do more as China and North Korea grew in strength.
Mr Abe began this by boosting Japan’s defence spending and expanding its alliance with the United States.
In 2018, Mr Abe created a National Security Council which strengthened the prime minister’s role in security affairs. At that time, it was considered one of the most ambitious reorganisations of Japan’s foreign and security policy apparatus since the end of World War II.
Over the years, he continued to maintain strategic relationships with leaders from around the world in a successful bid toward diplomacy.
4. He paved the way for Japan to send aid to Ukraine
One of the things Mr Abe did in 2014 during his drastic defence reform of Japan’s defence system was to relax a ban on the exporting of arms. He changed the laws such that weapons were allowed to be shipped if they “contributed to global peace.”
This meant that recently when Ukraine was invaded by Russia, Mr Kishida was able to send non-lethal military aid to Ukraine.
5. He helped to revive Japan’s economy
When Mr Abe came to office, Japan was facing economic turmoil. However, Mr Abe quickly set about restarting Japan’s withering economy. In 2012, soon after he was re-elected, he launched a plan that was affectionately known as “Abenomics.”
This plan included massive monetary stimulus, increased government spending, and structural reforms.
Mr Abe’s efforts were incredibly successful and the country saw a great boost in not just its economy but also in consumer and investor confidence.
One of his biggest achievements, as he revived the economy and increased the world’s confidence in Japan, was when he managed to secure the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which was later postponed to 2021 as a result of the pandemic).
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Camillia Dass is the digital writer for Tatler Singapore.
