Shinzo Abe: Japan's Longest-Serving Prime Minister Dies at 67

Shinzo Abe was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and was the country's longest-serving prime minister. Born on September 21, 1954, in Tokyo, he came from a prominent political family and was the grandson of Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi.

Abe first became prime minister in 2006 at age 52, the youngest postwar leader, and resigned a year later because of illness. He returned in December 2012 after a landslide victory for his Liberal Democratic Party and served until 2020. His economic policy, nicknamed Abenomics, combined monetary easing, fiscal stimulus and structural reform. He promoted the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and a more active Japanese security role.

Abe married Akie Matsuzaki in 1987. He was shot while giving a campaign speech in Nara on July 8, 2022, and died that day at age 67. It was the first killing of a former Japanese prime minister since 1936, and the suspect said he was motivated by Abe's ties to the Unification Church. Supporters praised his security and international policies, while critics faulted his nationalism and approach to wartime history.

Achievements: Prime Minister of Japan (2006-2007, 2012-2020), Abenomics, longest-serving Japanese prime minister, led the revival of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Birth: September 21, 1954 - Tokyo, Japan.

Profession: Politician.

Interesting Facts: He resigned in 2020 citing a relapse of ulcerative colitis. His grandfather was Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi.