Shinzo Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, was known for his hawkish foreign policy and a signature economic strategy that popularly came to be known as "Abenomics". A highly popular, and a highly controversial politician, the 67-year-old Abe led the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to victory twice.
His shocking death harkens back to images of the violent days in pre-war Japanese politics, when political assassinations were, if not commonplace, not unheard of. A string of political assassinations were part of Japan's march towards WWII.
As a popular and divisive politician, it was part of his trade to stir up strong emotions among the masses. Abe knew from childhood that those masses are not always friendly, and that he had to fight back against criticism.
Abe's first stint as prime minister was brief - for a little over a year starting in 2006 - and controversial. But he made a surprising political comeback in 2012, staying in power until 2020 when he resigned for health reasons.
Japan was in a recession when he began his second term and his economic policy was credited with helping return growth to a faltering economy.
He oversaw Japan's recovery from a massive earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku in 2011, which killed nearly 20,000 people and led to a meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear reactors.
Abe also had his unexpected moments, such as popping up dressed as Super Mario at the Rio Olympics closing ceremony ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Games.
When he stepped down after weeks of speculation, he revealed he had suffered a relapse of ulcerative colitis.
He was succeeded by close party ally Yoshihide Suga, but was still seen as a powerful figure in Japanese politics.
Rise to power
As the son of former foreign minister Shintaro Abe and grandson of former prime minister Nobusuke Kishi, Abe was born into a political dynasty. He felt his mission was to continue the task of his ancestors - to make Japan strong, great, and a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
He looked up to Kishi, who strove to strengthen Japan's economic rule over China and Manchuria during World War II, and then was instrumental in creating the political dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Abe's aversion to protesters may have its roots in how his revered grandfather was driven from power, following a huge anti-government protest in 1960.
Abe was first elected to parliament in 1993, and in 2005 he became chief cabinet secretary. His rise to the top came swiftly as he became Japan's youngest post-war prime minister in 2006.