Shinzo Abe Dies: Here Are Some Interesting Facts About Longest-serving PM Of Japan

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, one of the country¡¯s most powerful postwar leaders, was killed today in a gun attack while attending a campaign event in Nara, near Osaka. PM Abe was the longest-serving prime minister of the country.

AFP/ File

The police have identified the Shinzo Abe shooter as Tetsuya Yamagami, who is a former maritime self-defense force member, according to Reuters.

Who was Shinzo Abe?

Born into a prominent political family on September 21, 1954, in Tokyo and married to Akie Abe. His grandfather Nobusuke Kishi was prime minister (1957-60), while his father Shintaro Abe was a foreign minister (1982-86).

Facts about former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe

Facts about former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe | AFP

1. Japan's first prime minister was born after World War II

Shinzo Abe was Japan's first prime minister born after World War II.

2. Shinzo Abe's education

Graduated from Seikei University in Tokyo with a degree in political science, after which he moves to the U.S. to study public policy at the University of Southern California for three semesters.

3. Worked at Kobe Steel

In 1979, Abe begins working at Kobe Steel as the firm was expanding its presence abroad and in 1982 leaves the company to pursue new positions at the Foreign Ministry and with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

4. First elected as an LDP legislator

Former PM Shinzo Abe was first elected as an LDP legislator representing the southwestern prefecture of Yamaguchi in 1993.

5. Longest-serving PM of Japan

Facts about former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe | AFP

Shinzo Abe was elected Japan's prime minister in December 2012, but previously Abe held the title from 2006-2007 as well. He stepped down in 2007, due to health reasons.

6. Addressed Indian Parliament

Shinzo Abe's visit to India in 2007 and his speech to the Indian Parliament were turning points in relations between India and Japan.

6. Awarded India's second-highest civilian award

In 2014, Japan PM Shinzo Abe was the first Japanese PM to be the chief guest at India¡¯s Republic Day parade and in 2021 Abe was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award - for ¡®exceptional and distinguished service¡¯ in the field of public affairs.

7. Shinzo Abe, who helped strengthen India-Japan ties

I am shocked and saddened beyond words at the tragic demise of one of my dearest friends, Shinzo Abe. He was a towering global statesman, an outstanding leader, and a remarkable administrator. He dedicated his life to make Japan and the world a better place.

¡ª Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022

In 2014, Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a "Special Strategic and Global Partnership". The relationship grew and encompassed issues from civilian nuclear energy to maritime security, bullet trains to quality infrastructure, Act East policy to Indo-Pacific strategy. Abe was a valuable G-7 leader for India and focused on strategic, economic and political deliverables.

8. Notable moments of his leadership

Among notable moments of his leadership was the revision of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution, which says 'Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation' and was added at the direction of the United States after the country surrendered at the end of World War II.

9. Sent troops overseas for the first time

Under Abe's leadership, Japan sent armed forces overseas for the first time since World War II.

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