Legacy of Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, was known for his hawkish foreign policy and a signature economic strategy dubbed "Abenomics." The 67-year-old Abe, a popular and divisive politician, led the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to victory twice.

His shocking death evokes images of pre-war Japanese politics, when political assassinations were, if not common, certainly not unheard of. A wave of political assassinations marked Japan's march toward WWII.

It was part of his job as a popular and divisive politician to incite strong emotions in the masses. Abe realized as a child that the masses are not always friendly and that he would have to fight back against criticism.

Abe's first term as Prime Minister was brief (just over a year beginning in 2006) and contentious. However, he made a surprising political comeback in 2012, remaining in power until 2020, when he resigned due to health concerns.

When he began his second term, Japan was in a recession, and his economic policies were credited with restoring growth to a faltering economy.

He oversaw Japan's recovery from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, which killed nearly 20,000 people and caused the Fukushima nuclear reactors to melt down.

Abe had his own unexpected moments, such as appearing at the Rio Olympics closing ceremony dressed as Super Mario ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.