Was Abe Shinzo an Idealist? New Biography Reevaluates His Diplomatic Prowess

A new biography of Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is challenging the conventional assessment of his foreign policy as strictly "realist." Authored by Ryuji Hattori, a professor at Chuo University, the book draws on newly declassified diplomatic documents to argue that Abe, while possessing a "remarkable strategic vision," was ultimately an "imperfect realist." Abe's foreign policy approach stood out from the conciliatory stance often taken by postwar Japanese prime ministers, characterized by his articulation of bold visions. His most famous conception was the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," a strategic vision that not only articulated Japan's broader interests but also encouraged other governments to adapt to a new century where the influence and potential of the Indo-Pacific region had grown significantly. In trade, his administration played a crucial role in the fruition of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after the U.S. withdrawal, and advanced negotiations for the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). However, his diplomacy in East Asia was also hampered by misconceptions and biases, according to Hattori's account. The book highlights how Abe's eagerness to strike deals with Russia and China may have led him to surrender valuable leverage and potentially undermine the legitimacy of Japan's position on the disputed Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Islands), which China claims. Furthermore, Abe failed to achieve a breakthrough in his foreign policy toward the Korean Peninsula. Despite his reputation as a champion for Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea, his hardline stance did not translate into successful diplomatic strategy. In relations with South Korea, his determination not to concede on historical controversies plunged bilateral ties to their worst state since normalization. Even the 2015 agreement acknowledging Japan's remorse over "comfort women" issues resurfaced after a change in government in Seoul, partly due to a perceived failure to follow through on rapprochement. Hattori identifies Abe's historical perceptions, a strong concern with his political legacy, and a sense of duty and personal sentiment as factors that prevented him from fully realizing the ideal of realism. These characteristics suggest that Abe might be better understood as an idealist in a broader sense: a political actor who sought to translate deeply held beliefs and principles into political reality, regardless of the distance between his ideals and the circumstances he faced. By questioning the "realist" label often attached to Abe, Hattori's work offers a meaningful starting point for a more clear-eyed and constructive discussion of a politician who continues to evoke considerable passion and controversy. Information Source: The Diplomat Indonesia