After the passing of Shinzo Abe, former prime minister, emotions are spreading across Japan and elsewhere. Due to the bullet injury he sustained during Sunday's election rally, the former chief executive of Japan was taken to hospital on Friday, July 8.
Fumio Kirishida, the head of Japan's government, condemned the "barbaric act" in the middle the election campaign that is the foundation of democracy. International shock was triggered by the attack. On the sidelines at a G20 meeting held in Bali, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Japanese- and South Korean counterparts to lament the loss of a "visionary Leader" who, he said, "raised relations between the United States of Japan to the highest level".
The Kremlin also responded. "I wish for courage in the face this terrible and irreparable loss. In a condolence message to Shinzo Abe's widow and mother, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that beautiful memories of this extraordinary man will always remain in our hearts.
"Japan is losing a wonderful Prime Minister, who dedicated himself to his country, and worked for balance in the world," Emmanuel Macron said, after he stated that he was "deeply stunned" by the "odious attack" in which Shinzo Abe was a victim. He concluded his tweet by saying that France stands with the Japanese people.
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, praised Shinzo Abe for his "global leadership". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that he was "stunned" and "deeply saddened" by the attack on Japan. He said he was "at Japan’s side in these difficult circumstances." "Italy is shocked at the terrible attack against Japan and its free democratic discussion," said Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg stated that he was deeply saddened by the "heinous killing" of Shinzo Abe. He called Shinzo Abe a "defender of democracy". Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, praised a "great democrat", who was a victim to a "cowardly-and brutal murder". "I will never comprehend the brutal murder of this great person. Japan, the Europeans are in your grief", Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said.
"I extend my sympathy to his family, and to the peoples of Japan for their loss of their Prime Minister," South Korean President Yoon-youl stated in a statement. He condemned an "unacceptable crime act."
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Saturday a day for mourning in India in memory of Shinzo Abe. He posted on Twitter, "I am shocked by the tragic death of Shinzo Abe," "We stand in solidarity and support our Japanese brothers, sisters, and friends during this difficult time.
Shinzo Abe, a former leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), was the Japanese Prime Minster who remained in power for the longest time. In office from 2006 to 2007, then again in 2012 to 2020. Although he was forced to resign due to health reasons, he maintained a strong influence within the PLD, where he controlled the main faction of Parliament.
Shinzo Abe impressed with his bold economic stimulus policy, "Abenomics", which combined monetary easing and massive fiscal stimulus. This policy has been successful, with a notable increase in activity rates for seniors and women, and greater recourses to immigration to address the labor shortage. However, Abenomics has only had partial success without structural reforms.
Shinzo Abe also attempted to increase Japan's international presence, by playing the mediator role between Iran and the United States and promoting multilateralism as well as multiplying free trade agreements.
Some laws passed by his mandate, including the strengthening of the state secrets protection, the expansion in missions of Japanese Self-Defense Forces, and the hardening the fight against terrorist, have been controversial in Japan. They even led to large demonstrations which are rare in Japan. Shinzo Abe comes from a long lineage of politicians and has stood up for many financial and political matters. He was particularly soiled by several real estate scams in 2018, which included his wife.
The former Prime Minister, who was suffering from an illness, resigned from government in the summer 2020 after becoming unpopular due to a management that was deemed incoherent during the Covid-19 crisis. Chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
