Reflections on Abe Shinzō’s Political Legacy

Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzō’s July 8 assassination shocked Japan. Japan’s longest-serving prime minister was expected to remain influential even after leaving office. While Abe’s achievements in foreign and security policy are generally viewed positively, his economic policies and political methods receive more mixed reviews. This series reviews Abe’s impact on Japanese politics.

Photo: Prime Minister Abe Shinzō (front left), American President Barack Obama (right), and other heads of state at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, May 26, 2016, in Ise, Mie Prefecture. © Jiji.