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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

Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church over donations

The order will take immediate effect, with the group losing its religious corporation tax status and liquidation procedures to begin.

How the Unification Church is facing fallout in Japan from Shinzo Abe’s murder

Clocking off: is Japan’s culture of overwork finally dying?

‘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

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has already suggested she wants to revise the clause that renounces the use of force to settle disputes.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Macroscope | Trump-Takaichi meddling in finance spells more turbulence ahead

The two leaders’ moves into economics despite their lack of knowledge threaten to further destabilise global finance and inflate debt levels.

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.

.css-rcruog{color:#C79A00;}Video | Former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe’s killer sentenced to life

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’

It is important that Japan, China and South Korea collectively reckon with the legacy of military aggression and wartime atrocities.

‘Want people to face this issue’: Oscar-nominated #MeToo film finally in Japan

After sensitive footage was cut, Shiori Ito’s ‘Black Box Diaries’ finally debuts in Japan, exposing sexual violence and pushing for #MeToo justice.

South Korea’s threat to dissolve corrupt religious groups risks blowback

President Lee’s move comes as a widening Unification Church bribery scandal implicates lawmakers from both major parties.

Unification Church leader denies knowing about gifts for Kim Keon-hee

South Korean prosecutors reject the claim, saying Han Hak-ja is an ‘absolute power holder’ and no funds can be used without her approval.

Why Japan’s drift to the right means a ‘long-term struggle’ for China

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says that ‘China will never allow Japanese right-wing forces to turn back the clock of history’.

My Take | Takaichi’s stance over Taiwan is just what the West wants

Japan can protect its security and national interest by peaceful means rather than going down a belligerent path.

Yasukuni litmus test looms for Japan’s new PM Takaichi

As pressure mounts on Takaichi to visit Yasukuni as leader, analysts warn such a move could embolden the far-right and strain regional ties.

Warning or routine? Timing of Russian jet fly-past into Japan raises questions

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

What a Philippines logistics deal reveals about Japan’s Asean strategy

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

‘Stop the fawning’: Japan’s PM divides opinion with flattery, wooing of Trump

From golden golf balls to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, Sanae Takaichi’s attempts to stroke the US president’s ego polarised opinion.

‘Everything is true’: Japanese gunman admits to killing Shinzo Abe

Prosecutors say Tetsuya Yamagami wanted to draw attention to the Unification Church by killing the influential former prime minister.

Japan’s PM slammed for ‘currying favour’ with Trump over Nobel Peace Prize plan

Sanae Takaichi’s intention to recommend Trump for the accolade has even drawn criticisms within her Liberal Democratic Party.

Trump, Takaichi heap praise on each other as ties enter ‘new golden age’

Trump calls Takaichi ‘one of the greatest prime ministers’ as she moves to nominate the US president for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Japan deploys 18,000 police officers for Trump amid ‘lone wolf’ attack fears

The high-profile security cordon is appropriate given Trump has been the target of assassination attempts back home, analysts say.

Still on a roll at 100, this Japanese sushi legend aims to live to 114

Jiro Ono, owner of three-Michelin-starred Sukiyabashi Jiro, says work is the secret to his longevity.

Japan PM Takaichi faces high-stakes meeting with Trump over defence, trade

While the prime minister has vowed to bring forward a defence spending goal, she faces a risk of Trump asking for more, analysts say.

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

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