On August 28, 2020, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 66, resigned unprecedentedly citing health concerns. The longest-serving leader of Japan, Abe broke the record of his great uncle, Eisaku Sato, who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1964 to 1972.
Cause of Resignation Abe suffers from ulcerative colitis, a chronic medical condition since childhood but recently the condition worsened. Earlier, in 2007, during his first term as the prime minister, Abe resigned in 2007, only a year after assuming the office. At that time it was speculated that a combination of foreign and domestic factors forced Abe to resign. In 2007 Japan witnessed a political stalemate over the country’s logistical support for the US invasion of Afghanistan. Internally, several of Abe’s political appointees had been involved in a political scandal and, moreover, the Liberal Democratic Party of Abe witnessed a massive defeat in elections. However, at that time some observers opined differently, citing Abe’s health condition for his resignation.
Shinzo Abe’s Tenure A firm conservative politician, Shinzo Abe is known for his nationalist policies, particular for his inclination towards revisionist history. Abe followed aggressive economic policies known as ‘Abenomics’. He focussed on Japan’s economic revival combining structural reform, monetary easing and fiscal expansion, with the goal to increase domestic demand. In the front of foreign policy, he took a firm stand against North Korea. He worked for building ties between Japan and ASEAN, India, Australia in order to offset China’s influence in the region but tactfully pacified maritime disputes between the two countries. However, this effort did not result in a longtime solution and still persists in a larger extent. He also worked for improving ties with India and became the first Japanese prime minister to attend India’s Republic Day parade as the chief guest in 2014.
Recently, Abe’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Japan was heavily criticised, following a sharp rise in infections. Japan could not host the 2020 Olympics which was postponed till summer of 2021.
Policies Regarding Article 9 One of the most remarkable moves of Abe is the reform and revise of Japanese Constitution’s Article 9. Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution was the result of the brutality of the Second World War and came into effect in May 1947. This clause, included as per the demand of the United States, reads as follows: Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.
That means, under the provisions of this clause, Japan is not allowed to maintain an army, air force, or navy for anything other than self-defence. The country does have the self-defence force, which operates as a de facto military force. Presently, Japan has one of the largest defence budgets in the world.
The revision of Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution followed a hard course and didn’t saw the light. However, Abe and his political party have openly advocated revising this clause. In July 2014, Abe circumvented Japanese laws and approved a reinterpretation of Article 9 of the Constitution to give more powers to the Self-Defense Forces. This move was successful with the approval of the US. This was a complete surprise for Japan’s neighbouring countries, South Korea, North Korea, and China, who opposed the move.
Way Forward Under the provisions of Japanese law, after Abe’s resignation, an acting prime minister would step in and there would be no term limit on how long the acting prime minister would stay in the office. It is expected that Abe would be replaced by deputy prime minister Taro Aso, who also serves as Japan’s finance minister. Next in line would be chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga. An acting prime minister has limited powers in some ways. Furthermore, an earlier election is not possible before the scheduled date as per the country’s constitution. Till a new leader is selected, the acting prime minister would have powers over budgets and treaties.
After Abe’s resignation the Liberal Democratic Party would lead to elections to vote for a new party leader. It is these elections that would lead to a parliamentary vote to elect the new prime minister whose tenure would last till September 2021, which was the end date for Abe’s tenure.