Japan's Shinzo Abe sought to revive economy, fulfil conservative agenda

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is also ruling Liberal Democratic Party leader, shakes hands with his supporters after an election campaign rally in Fukushima, Japan, October 10, 2017.REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

TOKYO, (Reuters) - Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, launched his "Abenomics" policies to lift the economy out of deflation, beefed up Japan's military and sought to counter China’s growing clout in a historic two-term tenure.

He was instrumental in winning the 2020 Olympics for Tokyo, cherishing a wish to preside over the Games, which were postponed by a year to 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.