On Sept. 27, dignitaries from across Japan and the world will gather at the Nippon Budokan Hall to pay their final respects to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose sudden demise on July 8 sent shockwaves through the country. Notable guests include U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Abe was posthumously awarded the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, one of only four prime ministers to receive Japan’s highest honor.
In his 67 years, he was among the major players in the Liberal Democratic Party, and retains the honor of having spent nine years in office as Japan’s longest-serving prime minister. He served his first term in 2006, the youngest person to hold the office since World War II. After a break due to health issues, Abe returned for three more terms, from 2012 to 2020. Abe’s long term as prime minister will be remembered for his strong push toward strengthening Japan’s economy and a commitment to foreign policy and international exchange.
