Farewell, Shinzo Abe! From a steel company worker to Japan's longest-serving PM- PICS

Born into a prominent political family, Shinzo Abe, who was shot at a campaign event Friday in western Japan, had been the country's longest-serving prime minister. He stepped down in 2020 citing ill health.

Seeking to boost growth, Abe 2013 launched Abenomics policies featuring easy lending and structural reforms. Abenomics helped Japan`s economy speed past many of its Group of Seven counterparts in the first half of 2013.

Shinzo Ae began his career by working at Kobe Steel as the firm was expanding its presence abroad. However, in 1982 he left the company to pursue new positions at the Foreign Ministry and with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he is "deeply distressed" over the attack on former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and conveyed his prayers to his family.

"Deeply distressed by the attack on my dear friend Abe Shinzo. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the people of Japan," PM Modi tweeted

Japan's relations with China undergo a particularly rough patch but begin to improve after Abe meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Beijing.

The President of Russia met with then Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Danang.

Shinzo Abe has been best known for his signature “Abenomics” policy featured bold monetary easing and fiscal spending. He also bolstered defence spending after years of declines and expanded the military’s ability to project power abroad.