Japan's Former Prime Minister Abe's State Funeral Held
Japan's longest-serving prime minister is being remembered for his life's work and tragic death. Former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was gunned down during an election campaign speech in July. Thousands gathered in Tokyo on Tuesday to mourn, while thousands of protestors took to the streets across Japan.
The state funeral began with Abe's widow Akie carrying in her late husband's ashes.
Japan's Self-Defense Force -- a group Abe fiercely supported throughout his tenure -- then honored him with a 19-gun salute.
Members of the Imperial Family and lawmakers from across Japan joined the public farewell. Abe's voice rang out through the full arena.
In a memorial video, the ambitious former leader detailed his nation's strengths and his hopes for its future.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio expressed condolences, saying, "Abe Shinzo worked harder than anyone else in the world to build and maintain peace in Japan and the region as well as across the globe, and to maintain and promote an international order that values freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."
Former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide then gave an emotional eulogy. He and Abe worked together for years: Abe as Japan's leader and Suga as his Cabinet's voice. The pair became friends.
Suga said, "You were determined to make Japan a country that could contribute to the world in all areas as a truly peace-loving nation. You had to commit and make decisions each and every day. But we never saw you without a smile on your face."
Afterwards, hundreds lined up to offer flowers and pay their respects. Among them were foreign leaders, including US Vice President Kamala Harris, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Kishida has met some of the about 700 foreign dignitaries and ambassadors on the sidelines of the ceremony.
On Tuesday he met Modi, European Council President Charles Michel and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Modi said he believes that ties between India and Japan will reach a higher level under Kishida.
Security was extremely tight around the venue, as well as foreign missions and facilities accommodating VIPs.
The government's decision to hold the state funeral drew protests across Japan on Tuesday.
One large demonstration started around 2 p.m. on Tuesday in central Tokyo, coinciding with the state funeral about 3 kilometers away. Organizers say about 15,000 people took part, including lawmakers of opposition parties.
Participants said the state funeral was decided on without a proper rationale, and that the government should have fully explained the reasons for holding it to the public. Others called paying the entire cost of the event with public money inappropriate.
In an NHK opinion poll this month, more than half of the respondents did not approve of holding the event. Seventy-two percent called the government's explanation insufficient.
Abe's shooter was arrested on the scene. He reportedly holds a grudge against a religious group with which he believes Abe had close ties.
The suspect told investigators that his mother had donated huge amounts of money to the group, seriously disrupting their family's life.
The group, previously known as the Unification Church, has been accused of forcing followers to purchase items by inciting anxieties about spiritual matters.
Abe's fatal shooting turned the public eye to the group's political connections, especially those with lawmakers of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
In the latest NHK poll, 65 percent of the respondents said they did not think the LDP was adequately addressing the matter.