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UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB

Submitted to:
Dr. Mumtaz khan
Submitted by:
MH20BBA115 (Fiza Mughal)
MH20BBA076 (Maryam Saad)
Section B
Semester 8th
Session 2020-2024

International Relations and Current Affairs

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PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE

INTRODUCTION

Shinzo Abe (born September 21, 1954, Tokyo, Japan—died July 8, 2022, Nara, Japan) was a
Japanese politician, who twice served as the prime minister of Japan (2006–07 and 2012–20).
His 2022 assassination sent shockwaves throughout Japan.

Shinzo Abe served as the prime minister of Japan twice, first from September 26, 2006, to
September 26, 2007, and again from December 26, 2012, to September 16, 2020. Abe’s second
term was marked by his economic program “Abenomics,” which aimed to stimulate Japan’s
economy through measures such as increasing the money supply, government spending and
allowing the value of the yen to fall against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies.

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving prime minister, was known for his hawkish foriegn policy
and a signature economic strategy that popularly came to be known as “Abenomics”. A highly
popular, and a highly controversial politician, the 67-year-old Abe led the Liberal Democratic
Party (LDP) to victory twice.

HISTORY

Shinzo Abe came from a political family and was inspired to enter politics by his father, Shintaro
Abe, who was a former foreign minister, and his grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, who was a former
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prime minister from 1957 to 1960 and his great-uncle Eisaku Satō held the same post from 1964
to 1972. After graduating from Seikei University in Tokyo (1977), Abe moved to the United
States, where he studied political science at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
In 1979 he returned to Japan and joined Kōbe Steel, Ltd. He subsequently became active in the
Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP), and in 1982 he began working as secretary to his father,
Shintaro Abe, who was Japan’s foreign minister.

Abe’s political career was also driven by his desire to:

1. Revise the Japanese Constitution: Abe wanted to amend the pacifist Article 9, which
limits Japan’s military capabilities.
2. Promote nationalism: Abe aimed to strengthen Japan’s global position and promote a
more assertive foreign policy.
3. Revitalize the economy: Abe introduced “Abenomics” to stimulate economic growth and
combat deflation.
4. Strengthen US-Japan relations: Abe sought to deepen the alliance with the United States
and promote a more robust security partnership.
5. Leave a legacy: Abe wanted to make a lasting impact on Japan’s political landscape and
cement his place in history.

Abe’s political ambitions were shaped by his family’s legacy, his own ideological beliefs, and a
desire to shape Japan’s future.

In 1993 Shinzo Abe won a seat in the lower house of the Diet (parliament) and later held a series
of government posts. He garnered much support for his tough stance toward North Korea,
especially after that country revealed in 2002 that it had kidnapped 13 Japanese citizens in the
1970s and ’80s. Abe, who was then deputy chief cabinet secretary, oversaw the subsequent
negotiations. In 2003 he was named secretary general of the LDP. Due to LDP term limits, prime
minister and LDP leader Junichiro Koizumi was forced to leave office in 2006, and he was
succeeded in both posts by Abe. Abe became the country’s first prime minister to have been born
after World War II and it’s youngest since the war.

POLITICAL ERA
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Shinzo Abe’s political era in Japan, spanning from 2006 to 2020, was marked by significant
developments and challenges. During his time as Prime Minister, Abe focused on various key
areas:

1. Economic Policies: Abe’s “Abenomics” aimed to revitalize Japan’s economy through

monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms. While the policies initially
showed promise, sustaining long-term growth remained a challenge.
2. National Security: Abe worked to strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities and
reinterpreted the constitution to allow for a more proactive defense stance in response to
regional security threats.
3. Diplomatic Relations: Abe prioritized strengthening ties with the United States and
promoting regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. He also faced challenges in
managing relations with neighbouring countries like South Korea and China.
4. Leadership and Legacy: Abe’s leadership style, characterized by a nationalist agenda and
a focus on traditional values, left a lasting impact on Japanese politics. His resignation in
2020 due to health reasons marked the end of an era in Japanese politics.

Throughout his political career, Shinzo Abe navigated complex domestic and international
challenges, leaving a mixed legacy of economic reforms, national security initiatives, and
diplomatic efforts.

FIRST TERM AS PRIME MINISTER

From September 26, 2006, to September 26, 2007

During his first term, Shinzo Abe focused on several key areas:

1. Economic reforms: Abe aimed to revitalize Japan’s economy through structural reforms,
deregulation, and privatization. He introduced the “Abenomics” package, which included
monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms.
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2. North Korea policy: Abe took a tough stance on North Korea, particularly regarding the
abduction of Japanese citizens. He pushed for international sanctions and strengthened
Japan’s missile defense capabilities.
3. Constitutional reform: Abe advocated for revising Japan’s pacifist Constitution,
particularly Article 9, to allow for a more robust military and greater international
involvement.
4. Nationalism: Abe promoted a more assertive and nationalist agenda, emphasizing Japan’s
unique culture and history.
5. Foreign policy: Abe strengthened ties with the United States and sought to improve
relations with China and South Korea, though with limited success.

Despite his ambitious agenda, Abe’s first term was marked by political scandals, party divisions,
and health issues, leading to his resignation in September 2007. However, he returned to power
in 2012 and implemented many of his previously proposed reforms during his second term.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe opening the first session of the Diet in 2007.

A conservative, Abe sought to strengthen ties with the United States and pursue a more assertive
foreign policy. Abe supported United Nations sanctions against North Korea following that
country’s nuclear test and imposed a set of unilateral sanctions on North Korea that included a
ban on all visits to Japanese ports by North Korean vessels. He also pledged to revise the
country’s post-war constitution, which placed severe restrictions on its military. In domestic
affairs, Abe promised to shore up the country’s pension and health insurance systems. However,
his government soon became embroiled in a series of public gaffes and financial scandals. In
addition, the administration drew criticism for its slow response to the discovery that for a
decade the government had been mishandling the pension records of millions of citizens. In July
2007 the LDP lost its majority in the upper house to a coalition led by the Democratic Party of
Japan (DPJ), and in September Abe announced that he was resigning. He was succeeded by
Yasuo Fukuda.

SECOND TERM & “ABENOMICS”

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From December 26, 2012, to September 16, 2020.

Shinzo Abe’s second term as Prime Minister of Japan, which lasted from December 26, 2012, to
September 16, 2020, was marked by several significant developments:

1. Abenomics: Abe introduced a comprehensive economic program, dubbed “Abenomics,”

aimed at reviving Japan’s economy through monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and
structural reforms.
2. Economic growth: Under Abenomics, Japan experienced a period of economic growth,
with the Nikkei index more than doubling and the unemployment rate falling to historic
lows.
3. Constitutional reform: Abe continued to push for revising Japan’s pacifist Constitution,
particularly Article 9, to allow for a more robust military and greater international
involvement.
4. Nationalism: Abe promoted a more assertive and nationalist agenda, emphasizing Japan’s
unique culture and history.
5. Foreign policy: Abe strengthened ties with the United States, developed close relations
with Donald Trump, and improved relations with China and South Korea.
6. Security policies: Abe implemented security reforms, including the passage of the 2015
Security Legislation, which allowed for collective self-defense and expanded Japan’s
military role.
7. Women’s empowerment: Abe promoted “Womenomics,” aiming to increase women’s
participation in the workforce and society.
8. Demographic challenges: Abe addressed Japan’s aging population and low birthrate
through policies like increasing immigration and supporting childcare.
9. COVID-19 response: Abe’s government responded to the pandemic with measures like
state-of-emergency declarations and economic stimulus packages.

Abe’s second term was marked by significant policy initiatives and a strong leadership style,
cementing his legacy as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister.
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Abe retained his seat in the lower house of the Diet but for several years remained quiet
politically, especially after a DPJ-headed coalition took control of the government in 2009. That
changed, however, when he was again elected leader of the LDP in September 2012. One of his
first acts was to pay a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a memorial to Japan’s military dead
that includes individuals convicted of war crimes during World War II. That action precipitated
loud protests from other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and he provoked further
controversy over his views on the sovereignty of islands in the Pacific that were disputed
between China and Japan, as well as for his stance favouring revision of the pacifism clause in
the Japanese constitution. Nonetheless, the LDP won a landslide victory in lower-house elections
on December 16, 2012. On December 26 the new LDP majority in the chamber—bolstered by
the members of the party’s coalition partner, New Kōmeitō—overwhelmingly approved Abe as
prime minister. He replaced the DPJ’s Yoshihiko Noda, who resigned from office that day.

Abe quickly launched an ambitious economic program intended to stimulate the long-moribund
Japanese economy and help speed the recovery of the north-eastern Honshu (Tōhoku) region
devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The program, quickly dubbed “Abenomics,”
included measures such as raising the inflation rate, allowing the value of the yen to fall against
the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies, and increasing the money supply and government
spending on major public works projects. The Abe government received a big political boost in
the July 2013 elections to the upper house of the Diet, when candidates from the LDP and its
New Kōmeitō allies won enough seats to guarantee them a majority in that chamber.

Abe’s economic program seemed to be working initially, with strong growth in 2013 and the first
half of 2014 and a drop in the unemployment rate. However, the second of a three-step increase
in the national consumption (sales) tax (enacted in 2012 by the DPJ-led government) in April
2014 contributed to a dramatic drop in Japan’s economy during the rest of the year. By autumn
the country had fallen into recession, and Abe’s approval rating was plummeting. He decided to
dissolve the lower house and call 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. Voters, however, expressed little enthusiasm for the polling and turned
out in record low numbers.
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The Three Prong Approach refers to the economic policy package introduced by Shinzo
Abe, known as “Abenomics,” which consisted of three main components or “arrows”:

1. Monetary easing (first arrow):

The Bank of Japan implemented quantitative easing to increase the money supply and reduce
interest rates, aiming to combat deflation and stimulate economic growth.
2. Fiscal consolidation (second arrow):
The government implemented short-term fiscal stimulus packages and medium-term fiscal
consolidation plans to balance the budget and reduce Japan’s high debt-to-GDP ratio.
3. Growth strategy (third arrow):
Structural reforms aimed to boost Japan’s competitiveness, promote innovation, and increase
productivity, focusing on areas like labor market reform, trade liberalization, and investment
in human capital.

The Three Prong Approach aimed to revitalize Japan’s economy, overcome deflation, and
achieve sustainable growth.

ASSASSINATION

While delivering a campaign speech for a colleague on July 8, 2022, Abe was assassinated. A 41-
year-old man with a homemade gun was arrested at the scene, and police said he later confessed.
According to some news outlets, the assailant was upset that his mother was bankrupt after
donating to a religious group that had alleged ties to Abe.

SLOGANS
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Shinzo Abe was the Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.
During his time in office, he promoted various policies and initiatives with different slogans.
Here are some of the notable ones:

 “Reform with a Sense of Urgency” (2006-2007)

 “Japan Revitalization” (2012-2014)
 “Abenomics” (2013-2020) – a three-arrow economic policy package consisting of:
 “Monetary easing” (first arrow)
 “Fiscal consolidation” (second arrow)
 “Growth strategy” (third arrow)
 “Society in Which All Citizens Can be Active” (2014-2015)
 “Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens” (2015-2016)
 “Investing in the Future” (2016-2017)
 “Human Capital Development” (2017-2018)
 “Society 5.0” (2018-2020) – a vision for a new society that combines physical and digital
infrastructures.

These slogans reflect Abe’s focus on economic growth, structural reform, and social
inclusiveness during his time as Prime Minister.

DOMESTIC POLICIES:

Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, implemented the following domestic
policies during his tenure from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020:

 Abenomics: Abe’s economic program aimed to counter Japan’s economic stagnation, with
mixed results.
 Constitutional Reform: Abe advocated for amending Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to
legally codify the status of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).
 Military Reforms: In 2015, Abe enacted reforms allowing Japan to exercise collective
security by permitting JSDF deployments overseas.
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 Education Reform: Abe proposed a bill to encourage nationalism and a “love for one’s
country and hometown” among Japanese youth.
 Succession Controversy: Abe held conservative views on the Japanese succession
controversy and abandoned a proposed legislative amendment to permit women to inherit the
Chrysanthemum Throne.

INTERNATIONAL POLICIES:

Shinzo Abe was the longest serving prime minister in Japanese history and was known for his
proactive diplomatic approach. Internationally, Abe was known for:

 Building a strong relationship with the U.S. and the former President Donald Trump.
 Being the first Japanese prime minister to visit the five Central Asian countries.
 Launching the concept of FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific) at the sixth Tokyo International
Conference on African Development.
 Contributing to the creation of Quad, which serves as the primary vehicle for the realization
of FOIP.
 Emphasizing multifaceted diplomacy, even with countries that do not align with the
fundamental values of Japan.
 Maintaining a good relationship with Iran.
 Not criticizing democratic backsliding or human rights abuses in Cambodia and Thailand.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Achievements of Shinzo Abe during his tenure as Prime Minister of Japan:

 Strengthened ties with the United States_: Abe fostered a close relationship with the US,
particularly with President Donald Trump, to enhance security and economic cooperation
between the two nations.
 Pursued a more assertive foreign policy_: Abe took a more proactive approach to
international relations, engaging in diplomatic efforts to address global issues and
promote Japanese interests.
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 Imposed unilateral sanctions on North Korea_: In response to North Korea’s nuclear tests
and ballistic missile launches, Abe’s government imposed sanctions on the regime,
demonstrating Japan’s commitment to regional security.
 Promised to revise the country’s post-war constitution_: Abe aimed to revise the pacifist
Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to enable the country to maintain a more robust
military and play a greater role in global security.
 Promised to shore up the country’s pension and health insurance systems_: Abe’s
government introduced reforms to address the challenges facing Japan’s aging
population, including measures to sustain the pension and health insurance systems.
 Launched an ambitious economic program called “Abenomics”_: Abe’s signature
economic policy aimed to revitalize Japan’s economy through monetary easing, fiscal
stimulus, and structural reforms.
 Boosted labor input to the Japanese economy through the Womenomics policy_: Abe’s
government implemented initiatives to increase women’s participation in the workforce,
recognizing the potential for economic growth and addressing Japan’s aging population.
 Strengthened the economy, leading to increased tax revenue and growth in GDP,
corporate pretax profit, private non-residential investment, and more_: Abenomics led to
a period of economic growth, with positive impacts on tax revenue, GDP, corporate
profits, and investment.
 Incrementally increased the budget of the Japanese Coast Guard, Japan Self-Defense
Forces, public education, and other important institutions in Japan_: Abe’s government
gradually increased funding for key institutions, demonstrating a commitment to national
security, education, and public services.
 Increased the consumption tax to 10% to ease the cost of childbearing and education as
Japan’s population continues to age_: The government raised the consumption tax to
address the challenges of an aging population and mitigate the burden on future
generations.

These achievements highlight Abe’s efforts to strengthen Japan’s economy, international

relationships, and national security, as well as address the country’s demographic challenges.
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CHALLENGES:

Challenges faced by Shinzo Abe during his tenure as Prime Minister of Japan:

 Slow response to the pension records mishandling. Abe’s government was criticized for
its slow response to a scandal involving the mishandling of pension records, which
affected millions of Japanese citizens.
 Financial scandals involving his government. Abe’s government was plagued by several
financial scandals, including allegations of embezzlement and cronyism, which damaged
his reputation and public trust.
 Controversy over his visits to the Yasukuni Shrine. Abe’s visits to the Yasukuni Shrine,
which honors Japan’s war dead, including those convicted of war crimes, sparked
controversy and criticism from neighboring countries, particularly China and South
Korea.
 Criticism over his stance on revising the pacifism clause in the Japanese constitution.
Abe’s efforts to revise the pacifist Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which
renounces war and the maintenance of military forces, were met with opposition from
those who feared a return to Japan’s militaristic past.
 Unpopular personally, with approval ratings consistently below 50%. Abe’s personal
popularity was consistently low, with approval ratings often below 50%, indicating
widespread discontent with his leadership.
 String of scandals in early 2017 pushed his popularity to record lows. A series of scandals
in early 2017, including allegations of cronyism and corruption, further eroded Abe’s
popularity, pushing his approval ratings to record lows.
 Assassination on July 8, 2022. Tragically, Abe was assassinated on July 8, 2022, while
campaigning for the Liberal Democratic Party in Nara, Japan.

These challenges highlight the controversies and criticisms that Abe faced during his tenure as
Prime Minister, which impacted his popularity and legacy.

DOMESTIC ACHIEVEMENTS
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Shinzo Abe’s achievements at the domestic level include:

 Economic growth:
Under Abe, Japan’s GDP grew by $460 billion, corporate pretax profit by $400 billion,
and private non-residential investment by $154 billion, and tax revenue by $154 billion.
 Contentment:
In 2018, 74.7% of Japanese people surveyed said they were content with life, a record
high.
 Job placement:
Before COVID-19, both job-seeking college graduates and job-seeking high school
graduates had high rates of job placement, with both topping 98%.
 Womenomics:
Abe’s signature policy for gender equality led to 74% of Japanese women ages 25 to 64
participating in the labor force in 2017, surpassing the U.S. for the first time.

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Shinzo Abe’s achievements at the international level include:

 Abe’s economic policy of Abenomics helped Japan pull itself out of the economic
doldrums of the post-Junichiro Koizumi years, and the Japanese economy regained
“vitality.”
 Abe’s diplomacy will be remembered as a consequential prime minister who advanced a
vision of the international order that would be comfortable both for Japan and the rest of
the international community.
 Abe stood up to challenges through a series of diplomatic measures. His major diplomatic
achievements included the strengthening of the US-Japan alliance by revising the
Guidelines for US-Japan Defense Cooperation, taking a leading role in ensuring the
conclusion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP) after US withdrawal from the original TPP and proposing the vision
of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).”
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 Abe promoted Japan’s cooperation with other countries through his “diplomacy that takes
a panoramic perspective of the world map,” in which he made eighty-one foreign trips in
less than eight years, visiting eighty countries and regions in total.

DOMESTIC CHALLENGES

Some of the challenges faced by Shinzo Abe at the domestic level:

 Abe’s cabinet members during his first tenure were ridiculed as they were close personal
friends of Abe but lacked the qualifications for their positions.
 The lack of thorough background checks of the cabinet members led to scandals over
extramarital affairs and corruption.
 Abe’s health was a concern as his ailment was chronic in nature and often triggered by
stress.
 The presence of American bases in Okinawa was a challenge for Abe as accidents and
mishaps continued to create tensions with the local people.
 The opposition parties remained outnumbered in terms of support.

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGES

The challenges that Shinzo Abe faced at the international level include:

 China: Abe’s economic program, Abenomics, was an attempt to counterbalance Chinese

power in Asia and beyond.
 Gender equality: Abe had to commit to gender equality on an international level,
especially after he became the HeForShe IMPACT Champion.
 Global recession: Abe’s economic program was also an attempt to restore Japan’s
influence as a global player and to strengthen its geopolitical profile.

CONCLUSION

Shinzo Abe’s political career was marked by significant achievements and challenges. As Japan’s
longest-serving prime minister, he implemented notable policies and reforms, including:
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 Abenomics, which revitalized Japan’s economy

 Security reforms, expanding Japan’s military role
 Womenomics, promoting gender equality
 Constitutional reform efforts, aiming to revise Japan’s pacifist Constitution
Abe’s leadership was also marked by:
 A strong nationalist agenda
 Improved relations with the US and other countries
 A response to the COVID-19 pandemic
 Despite controversies and scandals, Abe’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. He will be
remembered as a consequential leader who shaped Japan’s economy, security, and global
position.
Abe’s resignation in 2020 due to health reasons marked the end of an era in Japanese politics.
His successor, Yoshihide Suga, and subsequent leaders will face the challenges of building on
Abe’s legacy while addressing ongoing issues like Japan’s aging population, economic growth,
and global security.

REFERENCES
 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abe-Shinzo
 https://spfusa.org/event/prime-minister-shinzo-abe-accomplishments/
 https://www.heforshe.org/en/prime-minister-japan-shinzo-abe-challenges-make-new-
world-heforshe-second-anniversary-event
 https://thediplomat.com/2022/09/the-mixed-legacy-of-abe-shinzos-panoramic-foreign-
policy/
 https://apnews.com/article/shinzo-abe-obituary-de5d5c3a798e1ac4fde4073763cf76df
 https://www.france24.com/en/20200828-japan-s-abe-reportedly-set-to-resign-for-health-
reasons
 https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinzo_Abe#:~:text=Shinzo%20Abe%20(%E5%AE
%89%E5%80%8D%20%E6%99%8B%E4%B8%89%2C%20Abe,until%20his
%20assassination%20in%202022.