Chronology of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's political journey

The longest-serving Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe died after a shooting at a campaign rally in western Japan. Police have arrested a 41-year-old man for attempted murder. He's been identified as a former member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. Police say the gunman admitted he tried to kill Abe because he was 'dissatisfied' with him.

Here’s a look at Abe’s political journey:

Abe has twice served as Japan's prime minister, and his family's political history stretches back decades. His grandfather, Kishi Nobusuke, served as prime minister between 1957 and 1960. And Abe's father served as foreign minister.

In 1993, Abe ran in a general election following his father's death.

He has since become a leading figure in Japanese politics. As deputy chief cabinet secretary, he visited North Korea with Japan's then-prime minister.

Abe first became a leader in 2006 at the age of 52, making him Japan's youngest post-war prime minister.

About a year later, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost an Upper House election, and Abe resigned due to worsening health.

His condition improved over time. Abe then led the LDP to a landslide victory in the 2012 Lower House election and became prime minister once again.

He became known for his "Abenomics" policy aimed at revitalising the country's economy. And he was a shrewd operator on the diplomatic front.

Abe led his party to a series of election victories and became Japan's longest-serving prime minister.

He stepped down again in 2020 due to health issues but has remained an influential figure within the LDP.

Abe said that a chronic health problem has resurfaced. He has had ulcerative colitis since he was a teenager and has said the condition was controlled with treatment.

He told reporters at the time that it was gut-wrenching to leave many of his goals unfinished. He spoke of his failure to resolve the issue of the Japanese abducted years ago by North Korea, a territorial dispute with Russia, and a revision of Japan's war-renouncing constitution.

That last goal was a big reason he was such a divisive figure.

His ultra-nationalism riled the Koreas and China, and his push to normalise Japan's defense posture angered many Japanese. Abe failed to achieve his cherished goal of formally rewriting the U.S.-drafted pacifist constitution because of poor public support.

Supporters of Abe said that his legacy was a stronger U.S.-Japan relationship that was meant to bolster Japan's defense capability. But Abe made enemies too by forcing his defense goals and other contentious issues through parliament, despite strong public opposition.

Abe is a political blue blood who was groomed to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi. His political rhetoric often focused on making Japan a normal and beautiful nation with a stronger military and a bigger role in international affairs.