JUDY WOODRUFF: In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced today that he is resigning because
of a chronic health problem. He has held the post longer than anyone, including a grandfather
and great uncle who were also prime ministers.
Our foreign affairs correspondent, Nick Schifrin, reports.
NICK SCHIFRIN: Shinzo Abe and his family are political veterans, but one of his lasting
legacies may be an alliance with a political novice.
DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States: I grabbed him and hugged him, because that's
the way we feel.
SHINZO ABE, Japanese Prime Minister (through translator): Donald, President, you are excellent
businessman. You have fought the uphill struggle in business, the dynamism of democracy.
MIKE MOCHIZUKI, George Washington University: He flattered President Trump. And he understood
President Trump's personality.
NICK SCHIFRIN: Mike Mochizuki is the U.S.-Japan chair at George Washington University. He
says the Abe-Trump bromance, forged over sumo wrestling, golf selfies, and awkward handshakes,
strengthened the bilateral relationship to confront China and North Korea and outlast
Trump.
MIKE MOCHIZUKI: Prime Minister Abe understood the strategic situation. Without a strong
U.S.-Japan relationship, Japan would not then have the autonomy and freedom to pursue its
own interests in Asia.
NICK SCHIFRIN: Top of the list, a revitalized military.
Abe's Japan purchased more U.S. weaponry. He failed to revise the country's pacifist
constitution, but pushed through changes that allow Japanese forces to fight in a crisis.
MIKE MOCHIZUKI: This opened the way for Japan to cooperate with other countries, especially
the United States, on a variety of common defense missions.
SHINZO ABE: Abenomics.
NICK SCHIFRIN: Economically, Abenomics lowered interest rates, increased spending, and pulled
the economy out of deflation, but it achieved only modest success. He did manage to end
political instability and a rotating door of leaders.
MIKE MOCHIZUKI: Just to be able to stay in office this long, and to stabilize foreign
policy, and chip away at some of the economic challenges, you know, that, in itself, I think,
is a lasting achievement.
NICK SCHIFRIN: Abe leaves his successor with major structural economic concerns exacerbated
by COVID.
And, today, in a final press conference, an emotional Abe said it broke his heart to leave
the job half done.
For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Nick Schifrin.