His Life in Numbers
Total Days in Office
Shinzo Abe served as Prime Minister for a total of 3,188 days, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister in Japan's constitutional history. He surpassed predecessors such as Taro Katsura (2,886 days), Eisaku Sato (2,798 days), Hirofumi Ito (2,720 days), and Shigeru Yoshida (2,616 days). On November 20, 2019, he set the record for total days in office, and on August 24, 2020, he achieved the longest continuous tenure. His first administration lasted 366 days. Given the short durations of subsequent administrations, his second term focused on political effectiveness and stability, resulting in a long-term government.
Number of Countries and Regions Visited
During his tenure, including the First Cabinet, Prime Minister Abe made 89 foreign visits. His initial trips during the First Cabinet were to China and South Korea, followed by visits to Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia) in his second term. In total, he visited 196 countries and regions. From his second term onward, his total flight distance was 1,581,281 km, equivalent to approximately 39.53 trips around the Earth. He conducted strategic diplomacy based on fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, basic human rights, and the rule of law, taking a panoramic perspective of the world map.
Age at Prime
Ministerial
Inauguration
At 52, Shinzo Abe became the youngest post-war Prime Minister, surpassing former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka (54). Including pre-war periods, he followed Hirobumi Ito (44), Fumimaro Konoe (45), Kiyotaka Kuroda (47), and Aritomo Yamagata (51). He was also the first Prime Minister born after World War II. After working at Kobe Steel and serving as a secretary to his father, Shintaro Abe, he was first elected at age 38 in 1993. He held positions such as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Second Mori Cabinet. After that, he held positions such as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Secretary-General, Acting Secretary-General and Chief Cabinet Secretary in the Koizumi Cabinet before becoming Prime Minister in September 2006.
Number of Recorded Speeches
The Abe Shinzo Digital Museum houses over 400 speeches and press conferences by former Prime Minister Abe. Throughout his first administration (2006-2007) and subsequent terms (2012-2020), he introduced and promoted concepts such as "Beautiful Country," "Breaking Away from the Post-War Regime," "Overcoming Crises," "Taking Back Japan," "Abenomics," "Regional Revitalization," "Diplomacy that Takes a Panoramic Perspective of the World Map," "Proactive Contribution to Peace," "Education Rebuilding," "Charge of Promoting Dynamic Engagement of All Citizens," "Work Style Reform," "Second Chances," "Tourism-Oriented Country," "Alliance of Hope," and "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."
Three Arrows
Abenomics, aimed at overcoming deflation, consisted of three "arrows": "aggressive monetary policy," "flexible fiscal policy," and "structural reform of the economy." In 2015, to further growth and achieve a society where all citizens are dynamically engaged, new three arrows were introduced: "a robust economy that creates hope," "child-rearing support that weaves dreams," and "social security that leads to peace of mind," aiming to strengthen the virtuous cycle of growth and distribution. Regarding the "robust economy," a goal was set to increase the nominal GDP from 500 trillion yen to a post-war high of 600 trillion yen.
Condolences
In recognition of his achievements and to express condolences to former Prime Minister Abe, his family, and the Japanese people, over 1,700 messages of condolence were received from approximately 260 countries, regions, and organizations. In countries like the United States, Australia, and the Philippines, legislative bodies passed resolutions of mourning, while governments in India, Brazil, and others observed periods of mourning. The Japanese government flew flags at half-mast on July 11. In Egypt, the "Shinzo Abe Axis Patrol Highway," and in Kosovo, the "Shinzo Abe Park," were named in his honor.
Number of Digital
Floral Tributes
The "Thank You, Former Prime Minister Abe Digital Flower Offering Project" received over 530,000 digital floral tributes. This online service allowed users to select illustrated flowers, "offer" them, and write messages, serving as a project to convey condolences and gratitude. At the state funeral held on September 27, 2022, over 4,000 attendees were present, and the government announced that approximately 23,000 general mourners offered flowers at Kudanzaka Park near the venue. Many people mourned his passing.
