As the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe left an indelible mark on history. Not only did his policies deteriorate a long-standing relationship with the United States, but his erratic behavior also strained relations with President Donald Trump. While Abe acted in his own self-interest, he ultimately left his legacy behind. Here are three things to consider:
His
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe served for almost eight years before stepping down due to ill health. He had previously resigned from the post because of bowel disease. Abe had also seen a significant decline in popularity with the Japanese people in recent years, as his handling of a coronavirus outbreak and support for an arrested party member led to controversy. Despite these problems, Abe was able to regain popularity in 2011 after negotiating the release of Japanese citizens from North Korea.
The issue of COVID continues to plague Japan, while its economy struggles to recover from the scourge. Meanwhile, Japan prepares for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The nation is also concerned about rising Chinese assertiveness, a regional and global issue. Furthermore, the United States’ uncertain policy toward China will also make the rising powers uncertain about Abe’s legacy. Abe must be seen in this context in order to effectively counter China’s aggressiveness.
Abe’s political rise was fueled by his willingness to address issues of national pride. His engagement with the North Korean regime on the abduction of Japanese citizens remains an unfinished business. The Japanese government asserts that dozens of Japanese nationals remain unaccounted for, and he sought U.S. support for this cause. Abe’s efforts to resolve this issue have paid off, with President Trump raising it in his meeting with Kim Jong Un.
Abe’s legacy will likely be paltry, but he will leave a large vacuum at the center of the world’s third largest economy. Fortunately, his potential successors will not be beholden to the failed policies of his predecessor. In addition, these leaders will also be able to address Japan’s challenges, including the threat of pandemics and a demographic time bomb. These challenges will likely continue to haunt Japan for many years to come.
Abe also helped transform Japan’s security policy. In 2015, he passed a package of bills that reinterpreted the Japanese Constitution. Article 9 states that Japan renounces its right to war. Abe stated that he wanted to amend the Constitution, but instead changed the interpretation of Article 9.
While Abe may have achieved much of his policy goals, there are still many unfinished business. While he failed to secure the return of the Northern Territories, Abe was credited with shielding Japan from crippling US trade tariffs and increased US troop funding. He was also credited with restoring Japan’s economy to growth during his first term. He will be missed for his efforts. But he will certainly leave a lasting legacy for his people.
Some of his greatest achievements were not in public view. Abe’s attempt to amend Article 9 of Japan’s constitution was derailed after the opposition of Komeito and other left-wing parties. He also attempted to resolve the North Korean abduction of Japanese nationals, but failed miserably. Abe also attempted to settle the issue of the “comfort women” of World War II. He did not achieve this, but later withdrew from the peace talks with Russia.
His policies
In the short period of his presidency, Abe has left a legacy that is hard to ignore. His womenomics programme, for example, has incentivised the economic role of women, increased government spending on infrastructure, and has brought more women into the workforce. However, many critics have said that his policies aren’t enough to combat the country’s chronic unemployment and stagnation. The success of these policies rests on whether they are sustainable in the long run.
Perhaps Abe’s biggest legacy will be that he kept winning elections, making him the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history. Only one prime minister in the last 30 years has lasted longer. Abe’s second term began in 2012, and during this time he rebuilt confidence and re-energized the economy with bold policies. He has also brought stability to Japanese politics, which was in need of it.
China’s rise is also a challenge for Japan. The Japanese public is already uneasy about a number of issues, including rising Chinese assertiveness, the ongoing COVID epidemic, and the uncertainty over U.S. policy. Abe will leave office with many unanswered questions, but will he leave a lasting legacy that will help the country overcome its challenges? While his leadership will certainly be a huge legacy, he is also a man who has made Japan more credible on the international stage.
For his achievements, Abe has improved Japan’s relationship with China. Abe visited Beijing in October 2006, met with President Hu Jintao, and visited Washington, D.C. The visit was a big step towards repairing the relationship. China was furious at the time, and Abe’s visits laid the groundwork for a closer relationship with China. The two leaders signed a Joint Press Statement.
While the government under Abe has struggled to get constitutional revision done, it is clear that the economy has been doing well. The economic program that he implemented has helped Japan to become more stable, and the Japanese military has played an important role in regional stability. Despite his faults, Abe’s legacy will endure long after his successor is in office. These accomplishments are essential in the long run for Japan. The country needs a strong and stable leader who believes in the nation-state and fundamental values.
In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, Japan’s government is looking to bolster its economy. Abe’s policies have sparked widespread criticism, ranging from his treatment of the Korean community to his refusal to make public his tax returns. Abe’s pacifist policies have also made him the target of a national pinata. His weakened government had no choice but to resign – and to deal with his own health problems.
His relationship with Donald Trump
During his time as Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe has pursued a close and personal relationship with President Trump. The two countries have been in constant contact since Abe took office and Abe courted Trump with lavish gifts and unceasing attention. Last week, Abe visited Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and expressed his appreciation for the president’s hospitality. Abe has also been very public about his admiration for Trump.
While Abe’s diplomacy with Trump has been cringe-worthy, it makes sense to look at the long-term benefits of this kind of a relationship. For instance, the rebalancing of the U.S.-Japan alliance has been at the top of Trump’s agenda for years, and this approach makes practical sense. Trump, on the other hand, is likely to be mollified by appeals to his vanity and finances, and Abe’s approach to the president is more pragmatic.
The book focuses on the case of Donald Trump, but the authors also cover other notable cases where the democratic process was perverted. Although Abe’s relationship with Trump is not documented in the book, he does meet the authors’ criteria for a perverted presidential campaign. Abe is the prime minister of Japan, a country viewed by many as a benevolent leader. Abe is expected to resign in August 2020 after eight years as Japan’s prime minister.
While President Donald Trump’s visit to Japan is a great opportunity for the U.S., there are three obstacles that are standing in the way of this relationship. The first is the US-Japan trade relationship. The Japanese government’s personal approach has helped the Japanese government demonstrate the advantages of a partnership with the U.S. Abe has met with the president twice, had 32 phone calls, and spoken with him at least twice a week. Nevertheless, these efforts have advanced Japanese interests in four fundamental ways.
The second is Shinzo Abe’s leniency with extremists. Prime Minister Abe tolerates extreme views, including those of the Democratic Party of Japan. Deputy prime minister Taro Aso, the finance minister, likened the Democratic Party of Japan to Nazis and cited the Nazis’ “techniques” for revising the pacifist constitution. However, Abe does not resign either man despite the recent scandal.
