Shinzō Abe

In 1987, Abe married Akie Matsuzaki, who later established an organic izakaya in Tokyo. The couple does not have any children. Because of her outspoken view that often contradicts Abe’s ideas Akie is referred as Abe’s domestic opposition.

The term ‘Abenomics’ is referred to the economic policies promoted by Shinzo Abe since his return to power in 2012.

Shinzo Abe was born on September 21, 1954, in Tokyo, Japan. However, his registered residence is in Nagato of Yamaguchi Prefecture, where his family had lived for generations.

Shinzo’s father Shintaro Abe was the longest serving post war foreign minister of Japan and a leading member of the Liberal Democratic Party. His mother Yoko Kishi was the daughter of Nobosuke Kishi, the former Prime Minister of Japan.

Shinzo began his education at Seikei Elementary School and then attended Seikei Junior High School and Seikei Senior High School. Later, he enrolled at Seikei University to study political science and graduated from there, in 1977. After graduation, Shinzo Abe went to the United States of America to study public policy at USC Sol Price School of Public Policy in South California. However, he was there for only three semesters and returned to Japan in the beginning of 1979.

Shinzo joined Kobe Steel in April 1979. By and by, he became an active member of Liberal Democratic Party and worked as the private secretary to the chairperson of the General Council of the party and also as the secretary to the Secretary General.

In 1982, he left Kobe Steel and joined politics full time. In the same year, he became the assistant executive to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, a post held by his father Shintaro Abe.

Shintaro Abe died in 1991. In 1993, Shinzo Abe entered the House of Representatives by winning the seat from the first district of Yamaguchi Prefecture, vacated by the death of his father. From the very beginning, he was one of the important members of the house.

In 1997, Shinzō led the ‘Japanese Society for History Textbook Reform’. He also founded the ‘Institute of Junior Assembly Members Who Think About the Outlook of Japan and History Education’ and became the bureau chief.

In 1999, Shinzo Abe became the Director of Social Affairs Division. Next from 2002 to 2003, Abe held the post of the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary. When in 2002, North Korea admitted of abducting thirteen Japanese citizens, Abe was chosen by his government to negotiate on behalf of the families of the abductees.

On becoming Prime Minister, Abe continued with fiscal reforms started by Koizumi Junichiro. However, he took specific initiatives in balancing the budget and he preferred to achieve that by curtailing expenditure rather than by increasing tax.

In education, he wanted to promote nationalistic views. He had all along supported such efforts. In March 2007, he tabled a bill that aimed to promote nationalism and love for the country among the children.

He also tried to maintain good relation with foreign countries and supported the country’s alliance with the United States. At the same time, he took several steps to strengthen the country’s defense. Under him, the Defense Agency was upgraded to full military status.

Abe’s popularity took a nose drive when in the middle of 2007 his government became embroiled in financial scandals. His Minister of Agriculture committed suicide as such scandal came to forefront. That the pension records of millions of citizens were mishandled also came to light and the government was criticized for its slow response.

In July 2007, for the first time in 52 years, LDP lost its majority in the upper house to a coalition led by the Democratic Party of Japan. Abe tendered his resignation on September 26, 2007. Apart from his unpopularity, ill health was another reason cited as the cause of his resignation.