Abenomics

Prime Minister Abe discussing his economic policies in a speech in London, June 2013

Abenomics (アベノミクス, 安倍ノミクス, Abenomikusu) refers to the economic policies implemented by the Government of Japan led by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since the December 2012 general election. They are named after Shinzō Abe (1954–2022), who had been appointed as Prime Minister of Japan on his second term from 2012 to 2020. Abe was the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history.[1] After Abe resigned in September 2020, his successor, Yoshihide Suga, stated that his premiership would focus on continuing the policies and goals of the Abe administration, including the Abenomics suite of economic policies.[2]

Abenomics is based upon "three arrows:" monetary easing from the Bank of Japan, fiscal stimulus through government spending, and structural reforms.[3] The Economist characterized the program as a "mix of reflation, government spending and a growth strategy designed to jolt the economy out of suspended animation that has gripped it for more than two decades".[4]

During Abe's tenure, the rate of Japan's nominal GDP growth was higher, and the ratio of government debt relative to national income stabilized for the first time in decades.[5] However, the "third arrow" of structural reforms was not as effective as observers had hoped.[5]

The term Abenomics is a portmanteau of Abe and economics, and follows other political neologisms for economic policies linked to specific leaders such as Bidenomics, Clintonomics, Obamanomics, Orbanomics, Reaganomics, Rogernomics etc.

  1. ^ Hoshi, Takeo; Lipscy, Phillip Y. (2021). The Political Economy of the Abe Government and Abenomics Reforms. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-92240-1.
  2. ^ Rich, Motoko; Inoue, Makiko; Dooley, Ben (14 September 2020). "Japan's Next Prime Minister Emerges From Behind the Curtain". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Definition of Abenomics". Financial Times Lexicon. Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Abe's master plan". The Economist. 18 May 2013. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
  5. ^ a b The editorial board (21 November 2019). "Abenomics provides a lesson for the rich world". www.ft.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2020.