New Abe biography reevaluates legacy of Japan's longest-serving PM

A new biography reassesses Shinzo Abe's political legacy, challenging the prevailing view of him as a pure realist and highlighting idealist elements in his foreign policy. The book's claims are based on new interviews and archival research, but its interpretations remain contested among scholars. This matters as it could shape how Abe's 'Free and Open Indo-Pacific' strategy is remembered and applied by current Japanese leadership.