Abe Shinzo and His Legacies

Offering an assessment of Abe Shinzo's complex legacy as Japan's longest-serving prime minister, this book shows that beyond the acclaim for "Abenomics" and his diplomatic initiatives lies a more nuanced reality that will continue to shape Japan's trajectory for years.The book focuses on Abe's transformational security policy, his flawed economic vision, his diplomatic initiatives and the implications of "Abenesia" for regional reconciliation. The analysis extends to the gap between upbeat "womenomics" rhetoric and Japan's low gender equality rankings. Poor management of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ill-fated Tokyo 2020 Olympics further tarnish Abe's legacy. His tragic assassination uncovered damning ties with the Unification Church and prompted extensive revelations about its coercive fundraising tactics.The book further explores how successors Kishida Fumio and Takaichi Sanae have navigated these legacies, and the challenges of increased immigration that Abe promoted from 2018.Abe Shinzo and His Legacies will appeal to students, scholars, and general readers interested in contemporary Japan and Asian geopolitics.

About the Author

Jeff Kingston is professor of history at Temple University Japan.