Commemorating Shinzo Abe One Year After His Tragic Assassination

It has been one year since the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He was fatally shot during a campaign speech during the Upper House election. The Sankei Shimbun and JAPAN Forward reached out to individuals who had close relationships with Mr Abe to hear their current thoughts and reflections. 

Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga was one of Mr Abe's closest friends and confidants. In an interview, Mr Suga shares his recollections and continuing commitment to carry Mr Abe's legacy forward. 

Excerpts of Mr Suga's comments follow:

Former Prime Minister Suga Remembers

It's difficult to comprehend that an entire year has passed since the tragic death of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. There is a photograph of Mr Abe and me engaged in a lively conversation during the plenary session of the Lower House during the second Abe administration. It greets me every time I enter the reception room of my office at the Diet. 

Interestingly, visitors often notice that photo and it becomes a topic of discussion. Even now, I frequently find myself reminiscing about Mr Abe. And I ponder how various aspects would be different if he were still with us. For example, matters such as diplomacy, national security, and how to address declining births in Japan. 

On Abe's Important Policy Initiatives

During his tenure, Mr Abe played a significant role in reforming Japan's Basic Act on Education. He did the same for security-related legislation such as the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets and establishing the National Security Council (NSC). These initiatives can be seen as transformative in reshaping the postwar framework of Japan. 

The policies implemented under Mr Abe's leadership sparked a range of discussions and debates, attracting both supporters and critics. In October 2019, his administration successfully secured approximately ¥2 trillion JPY (about $13.85 billion USD) in financial resources by raising the consumption tax rate from 8% to 10%. 

This financial boost facilitated the implementation of key initiatives such as free early childhood education and childcare. And also enabled the introduction of measures to alleviate the financial burden on families in higher education. 

Mr Abe's tenure witnessed a shift in focus within the social security system. It transitioned from a predominantly senior-citizen-centered approach to one that prioritized the needs of children and young people. It also had a particular emphasis on tackling the issue of daycare shortages.

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Stability of the LDP Coalition with the Komeito

His influence can be seen also in the coalition between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Komeito party. Mr Abe strongly believed that "the stability of the government leads to the advancement of policies." Even during the time when the LDP was in the opposition, the two parties worked together. And this cooperation has contributed to political stability.

There were instances where policy differences emerged between the two parties. One such case was the introduction of reduced tax rates in conjunction with the increase in the consumption tax rate to 10%. 

When the final decision was left to Mr Abe, I expressed my concern. I told him, "Continuing in this manner may strain the relationship with Komeito due to the reduced tax rates." Mr Abe firmly responded, "That is absolutely unacceptable. Let's find a way to reach a consensus." 

The decision was ultimately made, taking into consideration the preferences of Komeito. Given the significant rise in prices, implementing reduced tax rates and expanding the scope of eligible items proved to be beneficial.

Cooperating on National Security

Conversely, the enactment of security-related laws was driven by the strong determination of the LDP. Taking into account the principles of Komeito, we acknowledged the existence of challenges. However, we made diligent efforts to explain the necessity of these laws. 

Despite facing criticism and being labeled as "war legislation" or accused of "reviving conscription," we persevered in seeking understanding. And we successfully secured the passage of the bills through the National Diet. 

The recent invasion of Ukraine by Russia further underscores the importance of implementing these laws. It would have been considerably challenging to accomplish this without the cooperation of Komeito.

Carrying Abe's Legacy Forward

Moving forward, it is crucial to carry on Mr Abe's legacy and firmly advance policies that will shape the foundation of our nation. Given that Mr Abe has already provided the direction, it is crucial for us to move forward with determination.

After succeeding Mr Abe in the role of prime minister, I have taken on the responsibility of carrying forward his political legacy. Meanwhile, just as I inherited that responsibility, I feel the obligation to drive forward in resolving policies that were left unfinished by his administration. 

While fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Abe administration addressed the accumulation of treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. And also the strategy for its subsequent release into the ocean. 

The national referendum law was revised, facilitating the procedure for constitutional revision. And the administration approved the 2050 Carbon Neutral Declaration, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

Moving ahead, I see it as my duty to continue advancing these policies and initiatives.

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Interview by: Yusuke Oshima and Kensei Nomura, The Sankei Shimbun

(Read the article in Japanese.)