Timeline: Key events in life of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe

Shinzo Abe (AP)

Born into a prominent political family, Shinzo Abe was the country’s longest-serving prime minister.

While credited with bringing a degree of stability to Japan following a period of economic malaise, Mr Abe angered neighbours South Korea and China – along with many Japanese people – with his nationalistic rhetoric and calls to revise the country’s pacifist constitution.