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Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe was the prime minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2020. He was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history and was a member of the Liberal Democratic Party. He was fatally shot by a gunman while delivering a speech on behalf of another politician in the city of Nara on July 8, 2022. The gunman was identified as a 41-year-old local man who was a veteran of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force and said he was frustrated with Abe.

Born

21 Sep 1954

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Prime Minister of Japan

Shinzo Abe

‘Enormous failure’: naked man exposes gaps in Japan’s royal security

Princess Kako reportedly witnessed the chaos firsthand as a shrieking intruder stripped off and scaled a barrier below the royal balcony.

Why China is worried Japan election may prompt change to pacifist constitution

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Do voters expect smiles? Why masks hurt female politicians in Japan

While there was no decline in support for masked male politicians, their female counterparts saw a significant drop, the survey showed.

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Under Japan’s legal system, the trial continued despite Tetsuya Yamagami admitting guilt to Abe’s murder.

Japan ex-PM Abe’s killer Yamagami gets life term for ‘despicable’ act

Abe’s assassination also ignited scrutiny of alleged ties between prominent conservative lawmakers and the Unification Church.

Japanese business leaders shelve annual China trip as tensions mount

Poor prospects for ‘substantial results’ prompts delegation of about 200 people to put visit on hold.

South Korean politicians agree to Unification Church special probe in rare move

The ruling DPK has accepted the opposition’s proposal to appoint special prosecutors to look into the church’s political meddling and bribes.

Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns

Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.

Opinion | Only true repentance from Japan can resolve East Asia’s ‘memory wars’

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Sanae Takaichi is unlikely to push to improve ties with Moscow, virtually frozen under previous prime ministers, experts say.

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Analysts view the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement as an emphatic continuation of Shinzo Abe’s ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ vision.

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Macroscope | Trump-Takaichi meddling in finance spells more turbulence ahead

Video | Former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe’s killer sentenced to life