And now Stephanie Sai has a more in depth look at the life and legacy
of Shinzo Abe.
Thank you. Judy. I want to bring in Professor Mike Much is Suki,
who is the U. S. Japan chair at George Washington University. Professor
Mochizuki. Thank you for joining the news hour, watching that astonishing
video of Shinzo Abe being assassinated.
A long serving world leader, taken down with a couple shots from
a homemade gun in a country that is almost eliminated. Gun violence,
Professor What is your reaction and what are the repercussions?
Okay, well, first of all, I want to express my deepest condolences
to prime ministers are based family, friends and colleagues and to
the entire Japanese nation.
I mean, this is indeed a horrible tragedy. A shocking development
for the country that doesn't experience this kind of violence, and
this will be forever etched in the memory of the Japanese. Um, and
I think one of the things that's important to note is that
You don't have much in terms of gun violence because handguns are
completely, uh, completely banned. But at the same time over the
last few decades, um
Oh, attacks on Japanese politicians have not been that rare. And
so this will cause I think the Japanese to become much more vigilant
about providing safety.
For, um
Uh, politicians, but without question prime minister of is perhaps
the most consequential prime minister the Japan has had since the
end of World War two.
Let's talk a little bit more about Mr Abe's legacy. First on the
world what was his greatest impact? So he was prime minister from
2012 to 2020? You've got huge Jinping of China.
Consolidating power. You've got nuclear testing out of North Korea.
You have a transition here in the United States between President
Obama and President Trump what really stands out to you and Mr Abe's
legacy on the world stage.
Yes, well, he promoted what he called proactive peace diplomacy,
and I think he will be remembered most for his vision of the free
and open Endo Pacific.
And its efforts to promote security cooperation among Japan, United
States, Australia and India. What is now called the quad or shorthand
for the quadrilateral security dialogue.
He also strengthen the U. S Japan Alliance by relaxing some of the
constitutional constraints on defense policy and pushing for major
legislative changes regarding Japan's security.
Role, and he was especially skillful and managing relations with
President Trump.
To prevent Trump from weakening the bilateral security alliance.
And I think he was also instrumental in concluding the mega free
trade deal known as the transpacific.
Partnership agreement with the remaining 11 countries after the United
States pulled out during the Trump administration.
Domestically. Mr Abe wanted a strong Japan or at least what he called
a normal status away from the post World War. Two pacifist.
Um, Constitution, a restoration to some degree of military capabilities.
He was clearly still very active in politics. On this day he died.
What will his lasting impact beyond Japan's politics?
Well, he has defined you know what I would call a realistic and nationalistic
kind of foreign policy Outlook. Ah, and, uh, despite Ah, this terrible
Assassination. I think there will be many within the political class
in Japan that will continue to promote his agenda of making Japan
Have you have a much more strong defense capability are much more
proactive security policy, but at the same time, it's important to
remember.
That well, all bay was try Minister. Uh, he contributed to stabilizing
relations with China.
Before the Covid pandemic and 2020 China Japan relations had improved
to such an extent. The Chinese President XI was slated to make a
historic state visit.
To Japan.
And the pandemic derailed that plan in China Japan relations have
the deteriorated again and in some sense precisely because Prime
Minister Abe was a conservative nationalist provided the kind of
the political space
For Japan to try to stabilize relations with China from a position
of strength.
Such a large impact on the world stage, which is why we're seeing
condolences. Pour in from leaders around the world, including from
the Foreign Ministry in China Shinzo be dead at the age of 67.
By an assassin in Japan today a tragic day. Mike Mochizuki, chair
of US Japan relations at George Washington University. Thank you
so much for joining the news hour.
Thank you.