Assessing Eight Years of Shinzo Abe's Leadership
The prime minister is leaving Japan in the throes of an economic downturn. His signature policy framework may be the only way out.
There were ups and downs.
Photographer: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFPLess than a week after chalking up a milestone for the most consecutive days in office, Shinzo Abe is bowing out as prime minister of Japan due to health problems. His eight-year stint began as Japan was reckoning with its place in a new world order: China had become Asia’s main commercial power and the planet’s No. 2 economy. Restoring growth, or at least arresting its slide, became Abe’s primary goal.
The prime minister leaves with his signature fiscal and monetary expansion in full swing because of Covid-19. This means his successor will probably keep the substance of these policies in place. With an economic contraction of 27.8% last quarter, there may not be much choice.
The next premier will likely be drawn from the ranks of Abe’s cabinet (Bloomberg News has sketched out some prospects). Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, Abe’s right hand man, is a continuity candidate who could be tapped as a caretaker if the party’s factions are unable to coalesce behind anyone with staying power.