Editorial | Killing of Shinzo Abe stresses painful need to root out extremism

Assassination of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister is a shock to the nation and world, and serves as wake-up call

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Shinzo Abe, shown in front of Japan’s flag, had bold visions to rejuvenate the country’s stagnant economy and give it a stronger voice. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:10am, 9 Jul 2022Updated: 3:27am, 9 Jul 2022

The assassination of Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, is a shock to the nation and world. Political and gun violence are rare in a country that prides itself on being so safe.

There was no greater figure in Japanese politics, and the manner of his killing is a wake-up call. Although the motive is unknown, the rise of extremism and radical behaviour are growing global threats and societies everywhere have to strive to curb their spread for the sake of peace and stability.

Abe, 67, was giving a campaign speech in the southern city of Nara for a candidate in Sunday’s elections when he was shot. The suspect was quickly arrested and his apparently home-made weapon seized.

Gun ownership in Japan is tightly regulated, and although there are occasional shootings among gangs, violent crime rates are low. Political assaults are especially unusual; in markedly different times, a prime minister was murdered by imperial naval officers in 1932.

Abe with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2019. The Japanese leader’s signature economic strategy, Abenomics, aimed to bring back the boom years of the 1980s. Photo: Kyodo

Japanese are understandably distressed. After a string of leaders with short terms in office, Abe’s record-breaking second spell from 2012 to 2020 brought political stability.

Although known as a right-wing nationalist, he was also pragmatic. He had bold visions to rejuvenate Japan’s stagnant economy, revise the pacifist constitution and give the country a stronger voice in the region and world.