On April 17, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at Brookings hosted former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan for an address on key issues facing Japan, the United States and the world. Prime Minister Abe discussed Japan’s role in addressing regional and global security concerns as well as the global economic crisis and climate change. He also explored possible policy approaches to these and other issues for the Japanese and U.S. governments, as both countries and the international community face an era defined by urgent challenges and new leadership.

Shinzo Abe was prime minister of Japan from September 2006 to September 2007. He currently maintains his position in Japan’s House of Representatives, where he has held a seat since 1993. He served as the chief cabinet secretary from 2005 to 2006, during the Koizumi administration, and was deputy chief cabinet secretary from 2000 to September 2003 in the Mori and Koizumi Cabinets. He also served as the secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2003 to 2004 and was chief negotiator for the Japanese government on behalf of families of Japanese abducted into North Korea.

Senior Fellow Richard Bush, director of the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies, provided welcoming remarks and moderated the discussion. Brookings President Strobe Talbott introduced Prime Minister Abe. After his presentation, Prime Minister Abe took audience questions.

Read Shinzo Abe's prepared remarks »