With Shinzo Abe gone: Everything is different now

In a country known for safety, Shinzo Abe’s assassination during a political rally speech is still creating shockwaves across the nation and worldwide too. Abe was pronounced dead at a hospital in Nara from wounds to his neck and chest. A tragedy that will have many people questioning what went wrong in a country that has very little gun violence.

For reference, In 2018, Japan, a country of around 125 million people, only 9 deaths were recorded from firearms -- compared with 39,740 in the United States that same year, according to data compiled by the Sydney School of Public Health at the University of Sydney.

Nancy Snow, Japan director of the International Security Industrial Council, said the shooting would change Japan forever.

"It's not only rare, but it's really culturally unfathomable," she told CNN. "The Japanese people can't imagine having a gun culture like we have in the United States. This is a speechless moment. I really feel at a loss for words."

Although random acts of violence do occur in Japan, gun violence is a rare occurrence and Political assassinations are even less common: with the yakuza’s fatal shooting of the mayor of Nagasaki in 2007 being another example and indeed another very rare event.

In fact, getting hold of a firearm in Japan is a very difficult process and very few guns are available in Japan as purchases require strict checks. To qualify for a firearm licence, potential arms owners must attend an all-day class, pass a written test and complete a shooting-range evaluation with an accuracy of at least 95%. Prospective buyers must also undergo a mental health check up and drug tests along with a background check -- including a review of their criminal record, personal debt, involvement in organised crime and relationships with family and friends.

In the case of this assassination, it seems that the assassin’s firearm might be home-made judging from the photos that have been made available from the crime scene.

Although investigations continue and motives are not clearly known at this moment in time. It seems that a 41-year-old man that I choose not name, told police that he initially planned to attack a leader of a religious group but also intended to kill Abe, believing he had promoted the religious group in Japan,

Police searched his home, finding what is believed to be explosives and homemade guns.

In an act of determination to show that acts of violence would not stop democracy, politicians continued campaigning on Saturday,

"We absolutely must not tolerate violence during an election to suppress speech," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told around 600 supporters in central Japan's Yamanashi region, according to local media.

Abe became Japan’s youngest postwar prime minister when he took office 2006 at the age of 52. But his first term ended in resignation for health reasons only a year after his election. He then returned to power in 2012, staying in office until 2020 where health reasons once again caused him to step down.

His political views were at times divisive, better known for his economic strategy, dubbed Abenomics and his efforts to put Japan firmly on the world stage, including creating close ties with U.S. President Trump.

Abe was and continued to be a proponent for Japan’s reopening, the pandemic stalled Abe’s strategy that sought to revive local economies with an influx of foreign tourists that was a crucial part of his “Abenomics”.

It’s important to note that it was Abe’s administration that set a target of [5]40 million overseas visitors annually, setting a precedent for future leaders, and Abe also encouraged regional cities to open new ports, increase international flights and approve new hotel construction aiming to enhance the tourism product of Japan.

Since the launch of Abenomics in late 2012, Abe brought in reforms including relaxed visa requirements that helped to almost quadruple the number of foreign visitors to nearly 32 million visitors a year before the pandemic hit.

And even more recently, Abe had been calling for a downgrade in the legal status of the Covid virus in Japan. A change that would effectively mean making the virus no different than the seasonal flu.

More recently Abe has also been one of the highest-profile backers of softening restrictions in the country. Even though he had a rocky start at the beginning of the pandemic, he was at times blamed for a lack of firm direction. From the handling of the Diamond Princess very early on in the pandemic to the delayed Olympics. It is no doubt that in many aspects Japan is a better place for foreigners and tourism would not have been the same without him. My condolences and thoughts go out to his family and the whole of the Nation, regardless of political views. This is a violent tragedy that should not have occurred. There is no place for violence regardless of your views.

Vaccine update

As from July 8th, 62.1% of the population have now received their third dose. And crucially for Japan’s ageing population 90% of those aged 65 years or older have now received their booster shots too.

In fact 5 1,694,79 (4th) Doses have been administered.

Stay positive team! (but covid negative) Until the next one! Arigatou, gracias, thanks.

Sources:

[1] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/08/asia/japan-gun-laws-abe-shooting-intl-hnk/index.html

[2] https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/08/asia/japan-gun-laws-abe-shooting-intl-hnk/index.html

[3] https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/07/09/national/politics-diplomacy/shinzo-abe-assassination-suspect/

[4] https://www.livemint.com/news/world/downgrade-covid-s-status-many-countries-including-japan-under-pressure-11642658573556.html

[5] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan-tourism-idCAKCN2523HJ

[6] https://www.traveldailymedia.com/japans-tourism-to-approach-pre-pandemic-levels-next-year/