Japan Holds Controversial State Funeral for Ex-PM Abe

Tokyo, Sept. 27 (Jiji Press)--A state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was held at the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on Tuesday, with the public split over the event. Around 4,300 participants from within and outside Japan bid farewell to Abe, who served as prime minister for eight years and eight months in total, the longest in Japan's history of constitutional government. Many people gathered around the funeral venue to lay flowers or join protest rallies. It was the first time in 55 years for Japan to hold a state funeral for a former prime minister since one was held for Shigeru Yoshida in 1967. Abe, who was in office in 2006-2007 and between 2012 and 2020, was shot to death while delivering a stump speech in the western city of Nara on July 8 ahead of the House of Councillors election. In a memorial address during the funeral, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said, "Building on the foundations you (Abe) built, we'll create a sustainable and inclusive Japan, region and world, in which people can shine." Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, who supported Abe as chief cabinet secretary for many years, said in a speech that Abe was a "true leader for Japan." Also during the funeral, the national anthem was performed, participants offered a silent prayer and a video of Abe was shown. The participants included some Imperial Family members, including Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. Ahead of the ceremony, a car transporting Abe's remains arrived at the venue via the Defense Ministry and was hailed by honor guards of the Self-Defense Forces, a musical performance and a gun salute. Members of the public formed long lines before flower stands set up near the funeral venue from the morning. At the same time, gatherings were held to protest against the state funeral. Some participants urged the government to "stop forcing people to express condolences." Unlike the time when the state funeral for Yoshida was held, the government refrained this time from asking people to express condolences. Meanwhile, flags were lowered to half-mast at the prime minister's office and the Diet building. Ministries and agencies took different responses, with the Environment Ministry calling on its workers to observe a moment of silence while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism leaving decisions up to individual workers. END