Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe, born on September 21, 1954, in Shinjuku, Tokyo, came from a prominent political family background. Despite initially aspiring to become a filmmaker, his family history steered him towards a political career.

Shinzo Abe graduates from Seikei University in Tokyo with a degree in political science.

In 1991, Shinzo Abe's father, who had previously headed the Seiwakai faction within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), passed away. This event had a significant impact on Abe's political career as he later took on a leadership role within the same faction.

In 1993, Shinzo Abe was first elected as a legislator representing Yamaguchi prefecture for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). He was already known for his conservative views and later became a prominent member of the party's Seiwakai faction, previously led by his late father.

The Asahi Shimbun accused Abe and Shōichi Nakagawa of censoring a 2001 NHK program concerning The Women's International War Crimes Tribunal, where committee members claimed Emperor Hirohito and the Japanese government were responsible for the use of comfort women.

In 2002, Shinzo Abe, as the chief negotiator for the Japanese government, accompanied Prime Minister Koizumi to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il to discuss Japanese abductees. Abe gained national popularity for demanding that abductees visiting Japan remain in the country.

In 2005, Shinzo Abe was appointed as the chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He also led negotiations to bring back Japanese citizens abducted to North Korea. Additionally, Abe was elected as the head of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), positioning him to potentially become the next prime minister.

On September 20, 2006, Shinzo Abe was elected as the president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, defeating competitors like Sadakazu Tanigaki and Tarō Asō. This marked a significant step in his political career within the party.

On September 26, 2006, Shinzo Abe assumed office as Japan's Prime Minister for the first time. During his tenure, he focused on implementing economic reforms and adopted a tough stance towards North Korea while aiming to improve relations with South Korea and China.

A report emerged that Abe's new administration had called on NHK to pay attention to the North Korean abductees issue, leading to criticism of government interference in the public broadcaster's affairs.

Shinzo Abe announced his resignation as the Prime Minister of Japan due to his unpopularity hindering the passage of an anti-terrorism law and poor health.

On October 15, 2010, Shinzo Abe delivered a speech in Washington DC at the Hudson Institute regarding US-Japan relations. He expressed concerns about China's growing influence and military strategy, drawing parallels to the concept of 'lebensraum'. Abe also highlighted the importance of ASEAN countries as a counterbalance to Chinese expansionism.

Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine on 15 August 2012, the anniversary of the end of World War II.

On September 26, 2012, Shinzo Abe was re-elected as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following the resignation of Sadakazu Tanigaki. This marked his return to the LDP leadership during a period of political turmoil in Japan.

TBS's early morning TV show Asazuba accidentally displayed Abe's photo alongside a news report about an NHK announcer's arrest for a sex offense, leading to Abe demanding an apology for the mistake.

On December 26, 2012, Shinzo Abe was formally elected as the Prime Minister of Japan for his second term by the Diet. His new cabinet, known as a 'crisis-busting cabinet', included key figures like Tarō Asō and Yoshihide Suga.

On March 15, 2013, Prime Minister Abe announced Japan's decision to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. This move aimed to liberalize sectors of the Japanese economy, particularly agriculture, and faced criticism from farm lobbies and some sections of the LDP.

Abe's first visit to the Yasukuni Shrine as Prime Minister took place on 26 December 2013, the first anniversary of his second term in office.

On October 20, 2014, two women ministers, Justice Minister Midori Matsushima and Trade Minister Yūko Obuchi, were forced to resign due to separate election finance scandals. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took full responsibility for appointing them and apologized to the people of Japan.

On November 17, 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a snap general election for December 14, 2014, after delaying the rise in the consumption tax by 18 months. The election was described as the 'Abenomics Dissolution' where voters were asked to pass judgment on his economic policies.

In December 2014, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dissolved the lower house and called for snap parliamentary elections, which were held on December 14, 2014. Abe and the LDP won by a large margin, ensuring that he would retain the prime minister's office.

On December 24, 2014, Shinzo Abe was re-elected to the position of Prime Minister by the House of Representatives for his third term. He made changes in his cabinet, replacing the defense minister Akinori Eto with Gen Nakatani.

On the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Shinzo Abe issued a statement expressing grief and condolences for Japan's actions during the conflict. The statement was seen as an attempt to uphold previous apologies while acknowledging the need to move forward.

On October 18, 2015, Shinzo Abe presided over the triennial fleet review of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, emphasizing 'proactive pacifism' and Japan's contribution to world peace.

On December 28, 2015, Japan and South Korea announced a deal to resolve the comfort women dispute, with Japan agreeing to pay 1 billion yen and issue a statement of apology, leading to the removal of a statue in Seoul.

On May 27, 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe accompanied US President Barack Obama to Hiroshima, marking the first visit by a sitting US president to the city since the atomic bombing in World War II.

On December 27, 2016, Shinzo Abe visited the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, drawing attention to past visits by Japanese prime ministers and highlighting Japan-US relations.

The 2017 general election in Japan was called by Prime Minister Abe on 25 September amidst the North Korea crisis. Abe's ruling coalition won almost a majority of the vote and two-thirds of the seats. The election was held while Typhoon Lan was wreaking havoc on Japan.

On 20 September 2018, Shinzo Abe was re-elected as the leader of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Japan. This reaffirmed his position within the party despite the ongoing scandals.

On 19 November 2019, Shinzo Abe surpassed the record of Katsura Tarō to become Japan's longest-serving prime minister, with 2,883 days in office. This milestone solidified his place in Japanese political history.

On 24 August 2020, Shinzo Abe surpassed Eisaku Satō's record to become the longest-serving prime minister in terms of consecutive days in office. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Abe's political career.

On August 28, 2020, Shinzo Abe declared that he would resign from his position as Prime Minister of Japan due to health issues related to his ulcerative colitis. At that time, Abe had already made history by becoming Japan's longest-serving prime minister.

In August 2021, Shinzo Abe agreed to speak at an upcoming UPF rally in September, alongside former US president Donald Trump, at the request of the UPF's Japanese branch chairman Masayoshi Kajikuri.

Shinzo Abe was assassinated on 8 July 2022, leading to Kishida condemning the assassination and blaming insufficient police protection for allowing the murder to occur. Media reports on ties between the LDP and the Unification Church led to Kishida reshuffling his Cabinet on 10 August 2022.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot to death while delivering a campaign speech outside Yamato-Saidaiji Station in Nara City. The assassination led to shock and dismay globally, with leaders expressing condolences. The incident sparked scrutiny on the Unification Church due to the assailant's grudge against the organization.

Former prime minister Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, and other political figures visited the hospital where Shinzo Abe's body was held. Abe's body was later transported to his Tokyo residence with a motorcade of old professional acquaintances.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's cabinet decided to posthumously award Shinzo Abe with the Junior First Rank and the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, making him the fourth former prime minister to receive such honors under the current Constitution.

The UPF held an international conference in Seoul where a memorial service for Shinzo Abe was given. Foreign dignitaries like Mike Pompeo and Newt Gingrich attended, while dignitaries from Japan did not. Former US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence sent video messages.

A man believed to be in his 70s set himself alight near the Prime Minister's Office in protest against Shinzo Abe's state funeral. He left an anti-state funeral note before committing the act.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida decided to hold a state funeral for Shinzo Abe on 27 September following his assassination. The funeral was a significant event to honor the former prime minister's legacy and contributions to Japan.

On 26 January 2023, Shinzo Abe was posthumously awarded the Special Grand Cordon of the Order of Propitious Clouds by Taiwan.