Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe was a politician and statesman from Japan who held the position of prime minister and served as the Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) president from 2006 to 2007 as well as from 2012 to 2020. Shinzo Abe was born on September 21, 1954, and passed away on July 8, 2022.

His nearly nine-year presidency made him the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history. In 2005 and 2006, Abe worked for Junichiro Koizumi as Chief Cabinet Secretary.

Profile of Shinzo Abe

• Born:September 21, 1954
• Death: July 8, 2022
• Birth Place: Tokyo, Japan
• Political Party: Liberal Democratic
• Succeeded By: Yoshihide Suga
• Spouse: Akie Matsuzaki (m. 1987)
• Awards: Padma Vibhushan
• Hobbies: Reading and writing
• Favorite food: Korean BBQ, Ramen, Ice Cream, Watermelon, Miso Soup with Clams

Physical Stats & More

• Height (approx.):
• In Centimeters: 173 cm
• In Meters: 1.73 m
• In Feet Inches: 5' 8"
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour:
Black

Family

• Grandfather (Maternal): Kan Abe (Politician)
• Father: Shintaro Abe (Politician)
• Mother: Yoko Kishi (Politician)
• Brothers: Hironobu (Politician, Elder), Nobuo Kishi (Politician)

Bio of Shinzo Abe

Abe was the grandson of Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi and was born into a well-known political family in Tokyo. Prime Minister Koizumi selected Abe as Chief Cabinet Secretary in 2005, and the following year, Abe replaced him as both prime minister and head of the LDP. Approved by the National Diet, Abe emerged as the youngest prime leader of Japan following World War II. A year later, Abe resigned as prime minister due to ulcerative colitis and the recent election losses of his party.

Following his recovery, Abe became the president of the LDP in 2012 after an unexpected political victory against former defense minister Shigeru Ishiba. After the LDP won the general election with overwhelming margins that year, Abe was the first former prime minister to take power again since Shigeru Yoshida in 1948. After leading the LDP to further victory in the elections of 2014 and 2017, he was appointed as Japan's longest-serving prime minister. Yoshihide Suga took over as prime minister when Abe resigned in 2020, citing a recurrence of his colitis.

Abe was connected to the Nippon Kaigi, a group that promotes negationist interpretations of Japanese history. This group, in particular, has caused issues with South Korea because it rejects the involvement of government pressure in the recruitment of comfort women during World War II. Japan-South Korea connections became worse in 2019 due to disagreements over reparations during his premiership.

On July 8, 2022, while giving a stump speech at a gathering preceding the Upper House Elections on July 10, 2022, Shinzo Abe was shot in the chest. Shinzo Abe passed out at the age of 67. It is said that Abe showed no vital signs upon being transported to the hospital. After the former Japanese prime minister was shot in Nara at approximately 11:30 a.m., a man in his 40s who is thought to be the shooter was taken to jail.

Education and Early Career

Abe attended Seikei Elementary, Junior and Senior High Schools. In 1977, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Seikei University, where he studied public administration. Abe learned English as a visiting student at the University of Southern California from 1978 to 1979. Abe quit after three semesters of studying political science, history, and international relations classes. According to reports, Abe was an average student.

Abe started working for Kobe Steel in April 1979. After quitting the company in 1982, he tried a number of government jobs, including executive assistant to the minister. Abe served as his father's secretary as he traveled to 81 nations in the 1980s. Abe learned the value of cultivating relationships with foreign leaders during these tours.

Shinzo Abe's Wife

In 1987, Shinzo Abe wed Akie Matsuzaki (Akie Abe). She was a radio disc jockey before becoming a socialite. Matsuzaki is the daughter of Morinaga, a chocolate manufacturer's president. Akie Abe's beliefs are so strong that she is often referred to as the "domestic opposition party" due to her frequent disagreements with her husband.

In Tokyo's Kanda neighborhood, Shinzo Abe's wife, Akie Matsuzaki, founded an organic izakaya after her husband's first term as prime minister. Shinzo Abe spoke English as well as his mother tongue, Japanese.

Foreign Policy

North Korea

In general, Abe maintained a strict position towards North Korea, particularly in relation to the country's abductions of Japanese nationals. Prime Minister Koizumi and General Secretary Kim Jong-il agreed to allow abductees to visit Japan during 2002 negotiations between North Korea and Japan. A few weeks into their visit, The Japanese authorities decided to prohibit the abductees from going back to North Korea, where their family resides.

East and Southeast Asia

Along with Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Abe openly acknowledged the need for better relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC) and worked towards a summit meeting with Hu Jintao, the PRC's supreme leader. Abe states that China-Japan relations shouldn't be based on "emotions." Abe stated that strong political, security, and economic relations should be maintained with Southeast Asian nations.

India

Abe aimed to strengthen the strategic Japan-India relationship during his four years as prime minister of Japan. In reaction to China's growing power, Abe launched the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue in 2007 with Japan, the US, Australia, and India. His three-day visit to India in August 2007 marked the beginning of a new Asian alliance between Japan and India.

Abe planned to create the "fifth" bilateral relationship in an emerging environment in which the strategic alignments between the US, India, Australia, and Japan complement each other.

Some Facts About Shinzo Abe

• Yoko Kishi, his mother, was the daughter of Nobusuke Kishi, who served as Japan's prime minister from 1957 to 1960.
• Abe began working for Kobe Steel in April 1979 after graduating from the United States School of Public Policy.
• He quit the company in 1982 to pursue other government posts.
• His dad passed away in 1991.
• He was the first international dignitary to meet President Donald Trump at Trump Tower.

Net Worth of Shinzo Abe

The former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's estimated net worth for 2022 is $10 million. With an annual income of almost $1 million, his estimated monthly salary was $70,000.

Shinzo Abe's Health

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced his resignation due to problems arising from his ulcerative colitis. Abe announced his second resignation in August 2020, citing a serious flare-up of his ulcerative colitis.

Shinzo Abe's Murder

The former Japanese prime minister was shot on July 8, 2022, while giving a campaign speech in Nara. His age was sixty-seven when he died. The police arrested the suspected shooter that same day. He goes by Yamagami Tetsuya, and before Shinzo Abe's passing was declared, he was placed under custody for attempted murder.

Year of Shinzo Abe's Political Career

• 1993: Elected as the House of Representatives in Japan
• 2000 - 2003: Shinzo Abe was the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary.
• 2005 - 2006: The LDP's chief secretary
• 2006: For the first time, Shinzo Abe was appointed PM of Japan.
• 2007: Announced his resignation on September 12.
• 2012: In a run-off for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership, Shinzo Abe emerged victorious. On December 26 of the same year, Abe was elected to be Japan's prime minister.
• 2017: In a snap election held on March 22, Shinzo Abe won.

Conclusion

Shinzo Abe was a former prime minister of Japan. He was born into a well-known political family in Tokyo on September 21, 1954, and passed away on July 8, 2022. He was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history.