DDF Editorial. Abe’s Assassination

 

The assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Shinzo Abe reiterates the eternal and universal relevance and immortal significance of the Gandhian thought of Ahimsa or non violence. Given that Mr. Abe had gracefully relinquished office because of ill health as against being deposed like it is happening in Sri Lanka right now, Abe indeed epitomized the faith the Japanese have in democratic credentials: this, despite Japan being demilitarized and impounded as punishment for war mongering in the II^nd World War.

Again, thanks to the war reparations Japan was disallowed to train and maintain an army or armed forces. This has possibly manifested as lack of training and consequently there was a very expensive lack of security for the former Prime Minister. To pay the ultimate prize for his forefathers’ errors is alas a matter of cruel destiny, very cruel indeed. What is the point of human evolution, one wonders, if all it takes to dispute someone’s thought is a weapon… In this day and age of sophisticated communications a disgruntled man had the means to arbitrarily bleed to death a political leader who held in his hands and his intellect the power to change the destiny of millions.  Words fail to measure this tragedy. 

But investigators have their hands full in investigating the conspirators. Who gains? Abe’s appointed successor was replaced last year. But Abe’s historical significance lies in his economic prowess.  Thus there cannot be any political conspiracy within Japan itself. Often hailed as the longest serving post war Japanese Prime Minister, - in a country that sees frequent regime changes - Abe takes credit for Abenomics – crucially – in cushioning the fiscal fallout of COVID19 Pandemic. His handling of the Japanese economy during the Pandemic was the icing on the cake as it effectively had buffered the fiscal meltdown coinciding with the  nuclear disasters and Sendai-Tohuko Mega Thrust Earthquake  - that preceded his taking office for the second time in 2012.  His fiscal policies buffered the small and medium industries’ losses during the Pandemic, said experts. Indeed the Japanese economic purse strings had an enormous impact globally. Abe epitomised post war aspirational generation and was keen to reform the reparatory Constitution restricting Japan’s potential militaristic interventions. 

Japanese Aid for Emerging Economies epitomized Sustainable, Inclusive Win-Win Partnerships for stake holders.  Japan’s hesitant leadership in naval exercises for Quad was helping Quad Members get technological edge in their military hardware… again a win-win partnership for demilitarized Japan, … it also serves the need for maritime security in the Western Pacific.

Nevertheless no Japanese government or Prime Minister has had success in stopping illegal whaling in the Southern Ocean or international waters despite Japan’s high scores in SDGs…  Japanese investment in India’s Bullet Train in the plush Mumbai-Ahmadabad sector was also not the epitome of sustainable development, nevertheless a welcome investment opportunity. If such bullet trains can be made addressing the needs of differently-abled passengers and in conformance to SDG Targets like 17, it would justify prioritizing infrastructure development over other targets in India. 

In the day and age of Climate Change and Global Warming unplanned and un-factored development bears the risk of fire flood and pestilence. The case of the high speed train in Spain catching fire on the tracks in July 2022, is a case in point. Friction of high speed train wheels against  the tracks in times of Global Warming, El Nino induced forest fire and Climate Change issues a clarion call for Sustainable Development and  Disaster Prepared Development Quotient... A very tall order in India indeed. Just imagine if the Japanese funded Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train, parts of which are purported to go under the Sea, will create such fire due to friction and then hurtle down the sea...  India's notoriously corrupt bureaucracy is known to turn a blind eye to disasters and the lack of disaster preparedness is undoubtedly a recipe for disaster. India will do well to learn Disaster Risk Reduction from the Japanese before investing in fanciful development. 

All the same the very tragic assassination of the former Japanese Prime Minister personifies the very need for gun control. Globally the menace of guns and weapons in the wrong hands underscores the need for the Fourth Estate to engage with Mental Health Issues, lest mental health too becomes a violent Pandemic.