Legacy of a Leader

Shinzo Abe envisioned the form of the nation through concepts like "Beautiful Country, Japan" and "A New Dawn for Japan" presenting these ideas to us. He asserted that each individual advancing forward with the belief in a bright future is the only way to leave a respectable and strong country for the next generation of Japanese people.

He believed that the decline of the Japanese economy was not merely a domestic issue but could signify an abandonment of responsibility to the world, potentially undermining future prosperity in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

The challenges Shinzo Abe addressed were diverse, but at their core was the conviction to "foster a strong Japan and Japanese people" and to create a Japan that "actively contributes to world peace and prosperity."

National leaders are required to envision a national image and achieve results in the real world. Shinzo Abe's achievements lie in presenting a national vision looking 50 to 100 years ahead, continuously addressing real-world issues during his historically long administration, encouraging further challenges among Japanese people, and leaving a definitive mark on world and modern history.

My mission is to draw a new national vision that will withstand the rough seas of the next fifty to one hundred years, aiming for the realization of a 'Beautiful Country, Japan'.

January 26, 2007

From the Policy Speech

Each of us standing up, facing forward, and advancing with the belief in a bright future is the only way to leave a respectable and strong country for the next and subsequent generations of Japanese people.

September 25, 2012

From a Street Speech

A strong Japan brings peace, stability, and prosperity to the vast area connected by the seas from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific.

June 11, 2013

From the World Economic Forum

"While taking a panoramic perspective of the globe, we will develop proactive peace diplomacy and economic diplomacy. We must solidify the peace and prosperity of this region, extending from Asia to the Pacific Rim. Japan must be the driving force, and we must fulfill this significant responsibility."

January 22, 2016

From the Policy Speech

Shinzo Abe strategically developed diplomacy with a panoramic perspective of the globe. During his second administration, he visited a total of 176 countries and regions, aiming to make Japan a nation that, under the banner of proactive pacifism, collaborates with the international community to contribute more than ever to global peace and prosperity.
He repaired the chilled Japan-U.S. relations, delivering the speech "Toward an Alliance of Hope" at the Joint Meeting of the U.S. Congress in 2015, facilitating President Obama's visit to Hiroshima in 2016, his own visit to Pearl Harbor for reconciliation, and building a strong trust relationship with President Trump, thereby achieving a more robust Japan-U.S. relationship.
Building upon his 2007 speech "Confluence of the Two Seas" at the Indian Parliament and the 2012 Security Diamond concept, he proposed the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP) initiative during his keynote speech at TICAD VI in 2016. This concept, based on the rule of law, freedom of navigation, pursuit of economic prosperity, and ensuring peace and stability, aimed to develop the Indo-Pacific region as an international public good. It gained support from countries like Australia and the United States, leading to its expansion.
In practice, this influenced U.S. global strategy, as seen in the 2017 announcement of the Japan-U.S. Joint Diplomatic Strategy and the 2018 renaming of the U.S. military's Pacific Command to the Indo-Pacific Command. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) among Japan, the U.S., Australia, and India saw strengthened relationships through various meetings and initiatives since the director-general level meeting in 2017.
In terms of international cooperation, the 2015 Cabinet decision on the Official Development Assistance Charter included expressions like "sharing universal values such as freedom and democracy" and "securing national interests." Other diplomatic efforts included joint declarations with NATO, advocating for international sanctions against North Korea, and hosting the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and the G20 Osaka Summit, demonstrating active international diplomacy across various fields and regions.

"Peace is not something given by others; it is something we must win with our own hands. The foundation of security policy lies in our own efforts. What should we do to strengthen deterrence and response capabilities? What must we do to protect Japan?"

June 18, 2020

From a Press Conference

Reflecting Changes in the International Landscape
To further strengthen Japan’s national security in response to a changing global environment, the National Security Strategy was formulated in 2013. It was Japan’s first-ever comprehensive national security policy, centered on foreign and defense strategies. Based on the philosophy of Proactive Contribution to Peace through international cooperation, the strategy outlined integrated initiatives to advance national interests and security objectives. In 2014, the National Security Council (NSC) and its secretariat, the National Security Secretariat, were established.

Significant legal reforms related to security also progressed:
2013: Enactment of the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets
2014: Formulation of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology
2014: Constitutional reinterpretation to allow Collective Self-Defense
2015: Enactment of the Legislation for Peace and Security
The Peace and Security Legislation aimed to create a seamless legal framework for national defense, including:

Allowing collective self-defense in existential crisis scenarios
Expanding logistical support in situations with significant security impact
Enabling cooperation in international peacekeeping operations

The New Three Conditions for the Use of Force as self-defense were established.
An armed attack against Japan or a close ally threatens Japan’s survival and the fundamental rights of its people
No other appropriate means are available to repel the attack and protect Japan
The use of force is limited to the minimum necessary extent
Following the enactment of the Peace and Security Legislation, implementation progressed in areas such as:

Enhanced joint exercises with the U.S. and multinational forces, assignment of rapid response missions (e.g., South Sudan PKO), dispatch of personnel to the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO),operations to protect allied forces' weapons and equipment and signing of mutual logistics support agreements with partner nations were processing.

In September 2020, Abe issued a statement calling for the consideration of counterstrike capabilities against enemy bases. Even after leaving office, he continued to stir national debate on defense, including calls to increase the defense budget and remarks on nuclear sharing.

“The most urgent and greatest challenge is the revival of the economy. Why do I place such emphasis on economic revitalization above all? Because prolonged deflation and a strong yen are shaking the very foundation of trust in a society where effort should be rewarded.”

January 28, 2013

From the Policy Speech

Shinzo Abe aimed to restore a Japanese economy where hard work is rewarded, and people could feel that life tomorrow would be better than today. He implemented the "Three Arrows of Abenomics" driven by "aggressive monetary policy," "flexible fiscal policy," and "structural reform of the economy."
The goals were to overcome deflation and expand national wealth.

Under his administration (2012–2019), unemployment fell from 4.4% to 2.4% and over 5 million jobs were created. By 2017, all prefectures had job-to-applicant ratios above 1.0 for regular employees (and all job types by 2019)

From FY2012 to FY2019, nominal GDP increased by 57 trillion yen (+11%).Household disposable income rose by 7 trillion yen.General account tax revenues increased by 15 trillion yen.Despite consumption tax hikes (in 2014 and 2019), the administration pursued macroeconomically mindful policies addressing the GDP gap and NAIRU. The Nikkei Stock Average more than doubled (2.3x), marking standout performance in the Heisei era.

In 2016, Abe launched a New Three Arrows under the vision of an “All-Japan Dynamic Society” driven by "a robust economy that creates hope," "child-rearing support that weaves dreams," and "social security that leads to peace of mind".These targeted challenges such as a declining birthrate and aimed to boost Japan’s potential growth rate.

To expand Japan’s economic sphere and boost trade, Shinzo Abe promoted the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), emphasizing tariff cuts, trade facilitation, and reduction of non-tariff barriers.
In 2013, Japan joined TPP negotiations.In 2017, the remaining 11 member nations reached a new agreement excluding the U.S.In 2018, the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed, establishing a free trade zone covering nearly 40% of global GDP at the time.

“The time has come to boldly review the postwar regime and make a new departure from its origins. My mission is to draw a new vision for Japan that can endure the rough seas of the next 50 to 100 years — for the realization of a ‘Beautiful Country, Japan.’”

January 26, 2007

From the Policy Speech

In pursuit of a proud Japan, Shinzo Abe tackled various foundational issues of the state, aiming to break away from the postwar regime. He believed that many institutional frameworks—such as the Constitution, administrative systems, education, economy, employment, central-local relations, diplomacy, and security—were outdated in light of the 21st-century transformations.

On the abduction issue, Abe played a leading role through legislative groups founded in 1997 and 2002, and through negotiations in Japan–North Korea summit talks.

He joined young lawmakers’ groups for history education reform (1997) and to support visits to Yasukuni Jinja from a national interest perspective (2005).He advocated for revision of biased school textbooks.

In his first administration, new institutions were created, such as the Headquarters for the Abduction Issue and the Council on Education Rebuilding. The 2006 amendment to the Basic Act on Education emphasized public spirit, independence, morals, and affection for one’s community and country.

Other institutional reforms included, such as Upgrading the Defense Agency to a Ministry, National Referendum Act, Reform of the national public servant system and Pension system revision.

In the second administration, historical narratives were strategically linked to diplomacy, strengthening Japan’s global messaging. On the comfort women issue, the 2014 investigation into the Kono Statement was published, followed by the 2015 Japan–South Korea agreement, which confirmed the issue’s "final and irreversible resolution." In August 2015, a statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII was issued.

In 2017, he pushed for legislation enabling his Majesty the Emperor’s abdication, leading to the successful and smooth transition to the Reiwa era in 2019.

Regarding his long-held ambition of constitutional revision, Abe advocated for it since his freshman lawmaker days. In 2017, he announced the goal of achieving revision by the 2020 Constitution anniversary, including explicit mention of the Self-Defense Forces in Article 9.