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Japan – Post Abe

Discussion in 'Snippets of Life (Non-Fiction)' started by sureshmiyer, Jul 10, 2022.

  1. sureshmiyer

    sureshmiyer Silver IL'ite

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    JAPAN – POST ABE

    The political family of the Abes held considerable influence in the shaping of Japan’s policies and economy post World War II. Ex PM Shinzo Abe’s Grandpa Kishi Nobosuke and Uncle Sato Eisako were PM in the 60s and 70s. Shinzo Abe studied Political Science in the University of Southern California and his tryst with the Politics started with working under father Abe Shintaro, Japan’s foreign minister and he got involved with the Liberal Democratic Party. His dynamic personality, vision and leadership qualities led to him becoming the Youngest PM of Japan, the first to be born after World War II.

    Initially known for his firm position towards North Korea, Shinzo Abe pledged to strengthen the nation’s pension and healthcare systems in domestic affairs. It was followed by his Ambitious economic plan to jump start Japan’s long stagnant economy, popularly nicknamed as Abenomics. Under Shinzo Abe, Japan had closer ties with the US. His governance skills was evident in credibly handling Japan’s recovery after the devastating Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011 which also triggered Fukushima Nuclear disaster. Unfazed, Abe argued that resuming nuclear power is key to Japan’s energy policy and endeavoured to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. He resigned as Prime Minister twice due to Medical complications but his influence remained in Japan’s Politics. Shinzo Abe brought stability to Japanese politics.

    “The road to success is always under construction” – Lily Tomlin

    Shinzo Abe was also reportedly believed to be one of Japan’s polarizing leaders. He divorced Akie, a radio DJ from Japan whom he wed in 1987. One of his first deeds was to go to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which serves as a memorial to the military dead of Japan, including those who were found guilty of war crimes committed during World War II. That action sparked vociferous protests from other nations in the Asia-Pacific region, and he sparked additional controversy with his opinions on the sovereignty of Pacific islands that China and Japan were disputing, as well as for his support of changing the pacifism clause in the Japanese constitution. His administration received criticism for mismanaging the pension system. Steep hike in national consumption (sales) tax in 2014 caused a sharp decline in Japan’s economy. The sky rocketing construction costs that went behind the stadium for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo has also caused problems for Abe’s administration. His dislike of protestors may have its origins in the manner In which his esteemed grandfather was removed from office in 1960 as a result of sizeable anti govt demonstration.

    “Morality, like art, means drawing a line someplace” – Oscar Wilde

    Shinzo Abe was in the middle of giving a speech during a Political rally when he was shot twice on Friday in the city of Nara in Southern Japan at 11.30 hrs. The suspect is named Tetsuya Yemegami, unemployed Nara Resident, and is said to have served for 3 years as member of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. With little violent crime and tough gun laws, security at Japanese campaign events are usually relaxed though this is bound to change post the unexpected attack

    “Death is one moment, and life is so many of them.” – Tennessee Williams

    Shinzo Abe was undoubtedly an influential world leader, who carved a legacy for himself which was shortened by the unprecedented attack on him. One may like him or hate him, but you cannot dismiss a personality by killing him. Unfortunately, Chinese nationalists on social media are celebrating the tragic death of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated while speaking to a crowd at a campaign event, with some hailing his killer a “hero”. Regrettably, such people exist who hail such killers like Yamagami or Godse as heroes.

    “Writing laws is easy, but governing is difficult” – Leo Tolstoy

    Post Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the unstable world order reeling under recession post Covid, the loss of leaders like Shinzo Abe does not augur well for diplomacy and international relations. Many events in his long political life shaped the lives of people within Japan and outside.

    Known as India’s ally and dear friend, Shinzo Abe accelerated the ties of Japan with India. In August 2007, when Abe visited India for the first time as PM, he delivered the now-famous “Confluence of the Two Seas” speech — laying the foundation for his concept of Indo-Pacific. This concept has now become mainstream and one of the main pillars of India-Japan ties. He visited India thrice during his second stint in 2014, 2015 and 2017. He was the first Japanese PM to be Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in 2014. Shinzo Abe played a formative role in founding of the Quad partnership, comprising of India, Australia, Japan and US and worked tirelessly to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. He laid foundation for various infrastructure projects in the North-East. Japan itself has historically been connected to Northeast India from the days of the Second World War, when Japanese troops had fought alongside the troops of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA). Shinzo Abe was given the Padma Vibhushan -- India's the second-highest civilian award - in 2021.

    “Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity” - Khalil Gibran

    Jaa ne (じゃあね)

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    Suresh Iyer
     
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  2. Balajee

    Balajee IL Hall of Fame

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    China is virtually having a party hailing the killer as a hero in social media posts. The government cannot wash its hands of it and claim that the person or persons who posted them are "fringe" as we do at home. Even a child will tell you that in China big brother is always watching and social media posts are controlled. This bodes ill for the political ecosystem in the far east. I see clouds of conflict looming.
     

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