On his state funeral day, former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe was paid respect by world leaders. Global leaders, including US Vice President Kamala Harris and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid their last respects to Abe, who was assassinated in Nara city on 8th July.
Tributes from leaders
Leaders from more than 217 countries attended the funeral in Tokyo. Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered a eulogy to the ex-PM. Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Indian PM Narendra Modi met Kishida alongside attending the funeral.
Abe served as Japanese Prime Minister for the most extended period and is the second ex-PM to receive a state funeral after World War II.
Canon salute
A Canon salute was given to Shinzo Abe. Japanese force paid respect to the former premier with a 19-gun salute before his ashes were taken to Nippon Budokan Hall. Local people also offered tributes to the ex-PM of Japan, who was shot while campaigning in July.
Protests
Amid the funeral ceremony, there were protest marches on Tokyo streets. The protesters chanted slogans against the state funeral. Controversies sparked from the beginning regarding giving the state funeral funded by the public. Massive protests also broke out on a funeral day, with protesters holding placards and chanting slogans.
Imperial tribute
Japanese Emperor and Empress did not attend the ceremony as they were prohibited from joining a funeral by the norms. Imperial envoys and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess attended the funeral as their representatives.
Ex-PM’s praise
Yoshihide Suga, another former Prime Minister of Japan, praised Abe for his leadership qualities, especially his foreign policies. Japan’s relationship with North Korea and several foreign policy deals were the contributions of Abe as the country’s premier, said Suga. Yoshihide Suga worked in Abe’s cabinet for years.
Abe’s assassinator will undergo a mental health checkup, and he will not be interrogated during the evaluation until November.
