Japan Plans State Funeral For Ex - Pm Abe Shinzo
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio says the government will hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in the autumn.
Kishida announced the plan in a news conference on Thursday after expressing his condolences for Abe, who was fatally shot during a campaign speech on Friday.
Kishida cited Abe's achievements in domestic politics and diplomacy as reasons for holding a state-sponsored funeral.
He praised Abe's leadership while in the office for a total of eight years and eight months, making him Japan's longest-serving prime minister.
Kishida said Abe played a key role in rebuilding Japan's northeastern region hit by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
He also said Abe helped revive Japan's economy, and made major achievements in diplomacy, with the Japan-US alliance as a linchpin.
The prime minister said Abe gained high acclaim from the international community, including foreign leaders.
Kishida said people at home and abroad have mourned the sudden death of Abe in a violent attack during the election campaign, the very foundation of democracy.
He said while mourning Abe in a state funeral, he wants to underscore Japan's resolve to protect democracy without yielding to violence. He added that he wants to show the world the intention to inherit this vibrant nation and open up the future.
It will be the second state funeral for a former prime minister after World War Two. The only one was for former Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru, who died in 1967.