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

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stands in front of Japan's national flag after his ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) annual party convention in Tokyo, Japan, March 5, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

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.

Abe, 67, appeared to have been shot during a campaign speech on Friday, national broadcaster NHK reported.