Shinzo Abe has long been one of Japan’s most prominent statesmen. Since winning a second term as Prime Minister in 2012, his policies of ‘Abenomics,’ national security, and diplomacy have raised eyebrows domestically and internationally. As his role as a leader continues to evolve and have lasting impacts on the country’s citizens and its reputation abroad, it’s important to understand what exactly Abe stands for and what actions he is taking to protect its citizens.
Introduction to Shinzo Abe
Shinzo Abe was born on September 21, 1954 in Tokyo, Japan. He is the grandson of Nobusuke Kishi, the former Prime Minister of Japan in the 1950s. Abe graduated from Seikei University in 1977 with a degree in political science before beginning a career in politics. After stints as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2006-2007) and Minister of Chief Cabinet Secretary (2005-2006), he won his first term as Prime Minister in 2006. After resigning in 2007, Abe made a dramatic resurgence in 2012 and has served as Prime Minister for nearly a decade.
Abe and Abenomics
Shinzo Abe’s economic policies, known collectively as Abenomics, have profoundly shaped the economic landscape of Japan. In 2013, Abe launched the “Three Arrows” policy, an economic program consisting of fiscal stimulus, monetary easing, and structural reforms. The goal of this program was to kick-start the moribund Japanese economy, which has been in a near-stagnant state since the 1990s.
Under Abe’s leadership, Japan’s economy has seen moderate growth. The “Three Arrows” policy has seen some success; fiscal stimulus has led to a decrease in unemployment, while monetary easing has led to an increase in the money supply. Structural reforms have also been implemented to reduce red tape, which has improved the business environment. However, many economists have criticized Abenomics for not doing enough to invigorate the economy, with some even warning of a potential recession.
Abe and National Security
In 2014, Shinzo Abe enacted laws to expand the abilities of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF). The SDF are the military forces of Japan that are responsible for defending the country from both internal and external threats. The law allowed the SDF to engage in United Nations operations, overseas deployments, and the ability to provide logistical support to allies.
The new law has been a cause for concern for many countries, as some believe it could lead to militarism in Japan. Abe and his supporters, however, argue that the laws will be useful in deterring North Korea, providing stability in the region, and will be in line with international norms.
Abe and Diplomacy
Shinzo Abe is currently leading a major diplomatic effort to improve relations with countries in East Asia. In 2018, Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a historic summit, the first to be held between China and Japan in seven years. This summit marked a major milestone, as it was seen as the beginning of the normalization of relations between the two countries.
Abe has also strengthened ties with South Korea, with the two countries signing a historic peace treaty in 2015 and signing a revised military intelligence agreement in 2016. Furthermore, Abe has been working to improve alliances with the United States and other countries, with the goal of maintaining peace and stability across the region.
Shinzo Abe has had a profound impact on Japan since taking office in 2012. His economic policies, dubbed Abenomics, have partially re-energized the Japanese economy while his efforts at national security and diplomacy have furthered Japan’s reputation as a strong and important player in the international stage. Despite some resistance to some of his policies, Abe has remained relatively popular, as he continues to make sweeping efforts to modernize Japan and protect its citizens.