But his overly nationalistic first stint abruptly ended a year later, also because of his health, prompting six years of annual leadership change. He became Japan's youngest prime minister in 2006, at age 52. His political rhetoric often focused on making Japan a "normal" and "beautiful" nation with a stronger military through security alliance with the United States and bigger role in international affairs. While some conservatives consider the post-World War II charter a humiliation, the public is more supportive of the document.Ībe was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. He said he regretted leave many of his goals unfinished, including revising Japan's war-renouncing constitution. Nara prefectural police chief Tomoaki Onizuka said Saturday that problems with security were undeniable, that he took the shooting seriously and will review the security procedures.Ībe stepped down two years ago, blaming a recurrence of the ulcerative colitis he'd had since he was a teenager. The man hated a religious group that his mother was obsessed about and that bankrupted a family business, according to media reports, including some that identified the group as the Unification Church.
The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, told investigators he acted because of Abe's rumored connection to an organization that he resented, police said, but had no problem with the former leader's political views. On Sunday, the suspect accused of his murder was transferred to a local prosecutors' office for further investigation, and a top regional police official acknowledged possible security lapses may have allowed the gunman to get close to Abe and fire his homemade gun at him. His wake and funeral are expected to take place in the coming days. On the final day of campaigning Saturday, party leaders avoided fist-bumps and other friendly gestures in close contact with the public - a sign of tightened security following Abe's assassination during a campaign rally.Ībe's body has been returned to his home in Tokyo's upscale Shibuya, where many mourners, including Kishida and top party officials, paid tribute. "Our endeavor to protect democracy continues." "It was extremely meaningful that we carried out the election," Kishida said Sunday. Turnout on Sunday was around 52%, up about 3 points from the previous 48.8% in 2019.
#DEMOCRACY 3 ASSASSINATION FREE#
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gestures during a news conference at the 125th International Olympic Committee session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2013.įollowing the assassination, Sunday's vote took on new meaning, with all of Japan's political leaders emphasizing the importance of free speech and defending democracy against acts of violence.Ībe's killing may have resulted in sympathy votes. His ultra-nationalist views and pragmatic policies made him a divisive figure to many, including in the Koreas and China. Japan's current diplomatic and security stance is unlikely to be swayed because fundamental changes had already been made by Abe. "This could be a turning point" for the LDP over its divisive policies on gender equality, same-sex marriages and other issues that Abe-backed ultra-conservatives with paternalistic family values had resisted, said Mitsuru Fukuda, a crisis management professor at Nihon University.