The assassination of Shinzo Abe in July 2022 has sparked global reflection on his significant imprint in international politics. As a staunch advocate of the multilateral system and liberal international order, Abe dedicated himself to repositioning Japan as a leader in both regional and international affairs. His visionary approach involved developing strategies like the Quadrilateral Dialogue (QUAD) between Australia, India, the US, and Japan, reviving the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and emphasizing the concept of the Indo-Pacific region.
However, reactions in countries that experienced Japan's imperial brutality during the first half of the 20th century were more complex. Abe's efforts to redefine Japan's identity, distancing it from its World War II history, and to enhance cooperation with India, Australia, and Southeast Asian nations, led to a realignment of Japan's foreign policy towards the south and away from the northeast region.
This reorientation was evident in the new administration's response in South Korea, which showed signs of a shift in bilateral relations with Japan after the Moon administration's strained relationship due to historical disputes over forced labor and "comfort women" during Japanese occupation, as well as trade retaliations. Despite the unpopularity of Abe among South Koreans, the country's response was cautious, awaiting diplomatic opportunities to reconcile differences.
China's reaction was fragmented. While Beijing issued condolences later than other countries, Chinese public sentiment towards Abe's death was more direct. Nationalistic Chinese internet users criticized Japan, some even celebrating the event, driven by the defense of historical narratives and assertive policies towards China. However, prominent figures in China condemned the lack of respect and warned about the potential misuse of these comments against China by ultranationalists in Japan, complicating China's regional position.
Taiwan felt Abe's death as its own, with Taipei 101 illuminated and President Tsai Ing-wen describing Abe as "Taiwan's best friend and greatest ally." This recognition of Abe's support for Taiwan contrasts with South Korea and China, where memories of Japan's colonial rule have different impacts on national identity.
Abe's death also influenced the domestic political landscape in Japan. The rise of right-wing nationalist groups spreading false narratives about Abe's responsibility or ethnicity, aiming to incite violence against Zainichi, Korean descendants living in Japan prior to WWII, highlights ongoing concerns regarding ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups in Japan.
Fumio Kishida, the current prime minister, now faces the challenge of improving Japan's relationship with South Korea while pursuing a more ambitious foreign policy in an increasingly complex global environment. Abe's legacy presents Japan with a new chapter full of uncertainty, with possibilities of revisiting the constitution and potentially increasing military activities, areas that Abe could not achieve during his tenure.
