Shinzo Abe was born in 1954 in Tokyo, Japan. His father was Shintaro Abe, a prominent politician who served as Japan’s Foreign Minister. His mother, Yoko Kishi, was the daughter of Nobusuke Kishi, who served as Prime Minister of Japan from 1957 to 1960.
Abe attended Seikei Elementary School and Seikei Junior High School before graduating from Seikei senior high school in 1972. He then studied public administration and political science at the elite Gakushuin University. After graduating from Gakushuin in 1977, Abe worked for Kobe Steel Ltd., one of Japan’s largest steel producers.
In 1982, Abe returned to his family’s hometown of Yamaguchi Prefecture to run for office in the prefectural assembly. He was elected and served for two years.
In 1986, Abe ran for a seat in the House of Representatives, the lower house of Japan’s national Diet, and was elected at the age of just 32. He became the youngest member of parliament in Japanese history.
Abe has been married to Akie Matsuzaki since 1987. The couple have no children.
In 2006, Abe was elected Prime Minister of Japan, becoming the country’s youngest leader in over 60 years. He served for one year before resigning due to ill health.
Abe returned to the office of Prime Minister in 2012 and has since been re-elected twice. He is currently serving his third term as Japan’s leader.
Here are six things you may not know about Shinzo Abe:
1. Abe is a descendant of samurai warriors. His great-grandfather was Hirobumi Ito, one of the architects of modern Japan. His grandfather, Nobusuke Kishi, was Prime Minister of Japan from 1957 to 1960.
2. Abe was born in Tokyo, but his family is from Yamaguchi Prefecture. He attended elementary and junior high school in Tokyo before moving to Yamaguchi to attend high school.
3. Abe studied public administration and political science at the Gakushuin University, one of Japan’s most prestigious schools. He graduated in 1977 and then worked for Kobe Steel Ltd.
4. Abe entered politics in 1982, when he was elected to the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly. He served for two years before running for a seat in the House of Representatives, the lower house of Japan’s national Diet.
5. Abe became Prime Minister of Japan in 2006, becoming the country’s youngest leader in over 60 years. He resigned due to ill health after just one year in office.
6. Abe returned to the office of Prime Minister in 2012 and has since been re-elected twice. He is currently serving his third term as Japan’s leader.
Under Abe’s leadership, Japan has seen a period of economic growth and stability. He has also worked to improve Japan’s relations with other countries, including China and South Korea.
Abe is a controversial figure, both at home and abroad. His policies have been criticized by some, but he remains popular with the Japanese people.