2022 Year in Review

ABE’S FAMILY INFLUENCE
Two synonymous features of Shinzo Abe’s political legacy include: (1) evoking a
conservative-nationalist agenda, which sought to instil Japanese self-confidence;
and (2) his “sixth sense in foreign policy”. It is clear that Abe’s family background
significantly shaped this political direction. On 21 September 1954, Abe was born
into a prominent political family; his grandfather - Nobusuke Kishi - was a former
PM, whilst his father - Abe Shintaro - was a foreign minister. The Iconoclast, a
2020 biography of Abe’s political career by Tobias S. Harris explores the many
influences - social, cultural, political, economic, demographic - on Abe, but in
particular that of his grandfather - a suspected war criminal - who sought to reestablish
Japan’s sovereignty. This too became Abe’s own political goal. His father
was of equal significance, impressing upon him “the importance of building trust
with foreign leaders”. Abe’s relationship-building is recognised as one of his
greatest achievements, evidenced by his ability to foster working relations with a
wide range of leaders - from Malcolm Turnbull to Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
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A REVISIONIST OR STABILISING LEADER?
Abe’s conservative-nationalist ideals made him a divisive figure. It is for this
reason why critical analyses are important; they reflect the discord surrounding
his complex legacy. This is important to note in light of criticisms directed at
Western media for “eulogising” Abe as a “global statesman”. Indeed, Abe’s
historical revisionism of Japan’s colonial past, as well as his six visits to the
controversial Yasukuni Shrine, have hindered relations with both China and
(more significantly) South Korea. The Yasukuni Shrine honours those who have
died in the service of Japan since 1869. This includes 14 convicted ‘Class A’, as
well as 1,000 executed ‘Class B’ and ‘C’ war criminals - having been inducted in a
secret ceremony in 1978. It was this act that has made Yasukuni so contentious,
as encapsulated by this recent statement from the South Korean foreign
ministry: it “glorifies Japan’s past war of aggression and enshrines war criminals”.
Abe did, however, refrain from visiting the shrine for the remainder of his tenure
in light of the controversial 2013 visit. Abe’s conservative-nationalist agenda
proved controversial domestically too. The ‘Abe Doctrine’ - which sought to move
away from state ‘pacifism’ by “revamping” Japan’s security policies and
institutions - provides the most prominent example. A brief contextualisation of
the issue is needed.