Shinzo Abe was Prime Minister of Japan from 2012 to 2020, stepping down for health reasons. He was born into a prominent political family in Tokyo, Japan, and at an early age appeared to be destined for public service. He is described as a staunch conservative, leaning right as a Japanese Nationalist.

As a boy, he wanted to become a filmmaker, but his family’s influence pressed him towards politics. He graduated Sekei University with a degree in political science before studying English for one year at the University of Southern California.

Abe was fond of Italian gelato, and was known to relax with a game of golf or a few shots from his archery bow. He didn’t drink alcohol. Perhaps his greatest asset was his wife Akie. She is the daughter of Japan’s largest chocolate and candy manufacturer. She is very attractive, charismatic, dances flamenco, enjoys drinking, loves Korean soap operas, once worked as a radio DJ, and drew a lot of attention when she traveled outside of Japan. Abe and his wife had no children.

After his assassination, Shinzo Abe is considered the most consequential modern Japanese leader with the country’s future molded by his vision. Many regard him as the preeminent statesman of the Indo-Pacific, whose realist approach helped build a cooperative security network in East Asia.

Shinzo Abe learned many lessons from his father and grandfather, saying at one point, “I have learned that being a politician is not an easy job and that you may have to risk your own life to make historic accomplishments.” 

He lived and died by those words, believing that a life of public service helped make Japan better and safer.

Gone too soon, and now In Heaven with the Stars.