Shinzo Abe

Upon returning to office in December 2012, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced a three-pronged economic policy known as Abenomics, consisting of aggressive monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reforms. The policy aimed to end deflation and revive Japan's stagnant economy, leading to a significant stock market rally and a weaker yen.

Abe's government passed the State Secrecy Law in December 2013, which broadened the definition of state secrets and imposed stricter penalties for leaks. Critics argued the law threatened press freedom and government transparency, while supporters claimed it was necessary for national security and intelligence sharing with allies.

In July 2014, Abe's cabinet approved a reinterpretation of Article 9 of Japan's pacifist constitution, allowing the Self-Defense Forces to exercise collective self-defense. This enabled Japan to come to the aid of an ally under attack, marking a significant shift in post-war defense policy and sparking intense domestic debate.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Abe's government pushed for the postponement and eventual holding of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2021. The event proceeded largely without spectators and under strict health protocols, representing a major logistical and political undertaking that was widely seen as a test of Japan's organizational capabilities.

On July 8, 2022, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed while giving a campaign speech in Nara, Japan. The assassination, carried out by a lone gunman with a homemade firearm, shocked the nation and the world, prompting widespread condemnation and a review of security protocols for political figures.