ABSTRACT

The second Abe administration, which lasted for seven years and eight months, turned out to be the longest administration in Japan’s constitutional history. What factors contributed to its remarkable longevity? What accomplishments and enduring legacies did this administration achieve during its tenure?

Originally published in Bungeishunju in Japanese, this book examines policies pursued by the administration and its governance based on over 50 investigative interviews with key figures in the administration, including former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The contributors cover nine major policies, including economic policy, diplomacy and security, work style reform, trade liberalization, and historical issues, and explore why a specific policy was chosen at that time, who made that decision, and on what grounds. Reviewing such decision-making processes sheds light on the issue of governance. Consequently, this book also analyses the administration’s distinctive style of governance, such as strong leadership from the Prime Minister’s Office, ability to navigate party politics, and overwhelming victories in national elections.

An essential for scholars and students in the fields of public administration, public policy, Japanese studies, and Asian Studies.

chapter |11 pages

Introduction

What made Abe's long and stable administration possible?

chapter 1|24 pages

Abenomics

Putting the Finance Ministry and the Bank of Japan under the Prime Minister's control

chapter 2|24 pages

Elections and public relations campaigns

Winning over the younger generation in a “silent revolution”

chapter 3|28 pages

The Prime Minister's Office in charge

The conditions that enabled strong and stable leadership

chapter 4|26 pages

Foreign and security policy

The pursuit of strategy

chapter 5|24 pages

Politics on TPP and CPTPP

Turning Japan into one of the world's major free trade powers

chapter 6|21 pages

History issues

A consistently realist approach

chapter 7|28 pages

Governance of the ruling parties

aThe pervasive control of the prime minister