As Japanese election approaches, Shinzo Abe’s legacy on North Korea looms large



Analysis As Japanese election approaches, Shinzo Abe’s legacy on North Korea looms large Former prime minister championed abduction issue but oversaw deteriorating relations with Pyongyang and Seoul Oliver Jia September 16, 2021 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Prime Minister's Office of Japan (Twitter) \| Shinzo Abe bows at a press conference announcing his resignation as prime minister, Aug. 31, 2020 This week marks one year since Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, stepped down from office. It also comes as the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to soon decide the future of its leadership — and likely Japan’s next prime minister — ahead of a nationwide general election. Foreign policy toward North Korea will likely not be an immediate priority. The LDP, however, aims to appoint a leader who can take the party in a long-term sustainable direction, which means it will inevitably need to address Pyongyang at some point. This week marks one year since Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, stepped down from office. It also comes as the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to soon decide the future of its leadership — and likely Japan’s next prime minister — ahead of a nationwide general election. Foreign policy toward North Korea will likely not be an immediate priority. The LDP, however, aims to appoint a leader who can take the party in a long-term sustainable direction, which means it will inevitably need to address Pyongyang at some point. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

As Japanese election approaches, Shinzo Abe’s legacy on North Korea looms large

Former prime minister championed abduction issue but oversaw deteriorating relations with Pyongyang and Seoul

Oliver Jia September 16, 2021

As Japanese election approaches, Shinzo Abe’s legacy on North Korea looms large

Prime Minister's Office of Japan (Twitter) | Shinzo Abe bows at a press conference announcing his resignation as prime minister, Aug. 31, 2020

This week marks one year since Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, stepped down from office. It also comes as the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is set to soon decide the future of its leadership — and likely Japan’s next prime minister — ahead of a nationwide general election.

Foreign policy toward North Korea will likely not be an immediate priority. The LDP, however, aims to appoint a leader who can take the party in a long-term sustainable direction, which means it will inevitably need to address Pyongyang at some point.

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As Japanese election approaches, Shinzo Abe’s legacy on North Korea looms large

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