Shinzo Abe, a retrospective

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [center], who is also the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader, shouts slogans with a local Libera Democratic Party candidate [left] and a supporter during an election campaign rally in Fukushima, Japan, October 10, 2017. (Reuters)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao [left] walks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as they inspect an honor guard during a welcome ceremony held outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Oct. 8, 2006. (Associated Press)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2017. (Reuters)

President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe depart Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi restaurant in Tokyo, April 23, 2014. (Associated Press)

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hold a joint press conference at 10 Downing Street in London on Jan. 10, 2019, following talks. (AFP)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe holds an Akita Inu puppy named Masaru in his arms during his official visit to Moscow, Russia, on May 26, 2018. Abe took part in a ceremony to present a Japanese Akita to Russia's Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova, who had proclaimed her love for the dogs after spotting them while training in Japan. (AFP)

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe eats a locally grilled fish during his official campaign kick-off at the Soma Haragama fishing port in Soma, Fukushima prefecture, Dec. 2, 2014. (Reuters)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [center] and Director of Japan Self-Defense Force Fumio Kyuma [fifth from left] salute while assisting at the Fleet Review of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in Sagami Bay, off Tokyo, Oct. 29 2006. (Associated Press)

Newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [front row center] poses with his Cabinet members for the official group photo at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo, Sept. 26, 2006. (Associated Press)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe [left] bows to Prince Akishino [second from right] and Princess Kiko during a memorial service for victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in Tokyo, March 11, 2018. (AFP)