Golfing with Trump, Super Mario: a look back at Japan’s Shinzo Abe era
- From a turn as Super Mario to a visit to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, here are some of the key moments of Abe’s record-breaking time in office
- The former PM has said little about what he thinks his legacy will be, but he has cited one particular point of pride: bringing Obama to Hiroshima in 2016


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Japan’s outgoing prime minister Shinzo Abe bids farewell
Here are some of the most memorable moments of Abe’s record-breaking time in office.
The bromance
In 2016, he flew to New York to chat with the then president-elect, becoming the first foreign leader to meet Trump at his Manhattan skyscraper.
But there were plenty of awkward moments.
In 2017, a video went viral of Trump almost wrestling with Abe in a handshake that lasted 19 seconds and ended with the Japanese leader visibly grimacing and appearing relieved the encounter was over.
And then there was their 2018 golf game, when Abe tumbled backwards into a bunker and Trump marched down the fairway seemingly oblivious.

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Trump state visit to Japan: talks, golf and sumo with Abe, red-carpet welcome from new emperor