The state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be held on September 27 in Tokyo, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the foreign dignitaries to attend, Japanese government officials announced on Wednesday.
Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, Shinzo Abe, was assassinated on July 8 while delivering a campaign speech in western Japan ahead of the House of Councillors election on July 10.
According to the Japanese media, other world leaders including former US President Barack Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and US Vice-President Kamala Harris are also anticipated to attend.
The idea of a state funeral was criticised by Japanese opposition parties and community organisations because it might force people to offer condolences to Abe. Tokyo has stated there will be no obligation to participate in a national display of grief, partially in response to those worries.
It is unusual for the Prime Minister to visit a country twice in four months. PM Modi last visited Japan for the Quad Summit in May. However, PM Modi had a close relationship with Abe, who accompanied him on a roadshow in Ahmedabad prior to the 2017 Gujarat state elections. Abe had also taken part in Ganga Arti twice in Varanasi, where the evening prayers after his death were dedicated to his memory.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will also meet with the current Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida.
Meanwhile, India and Japan are planning a second round of two-plus-two security talks in Tokyo on September 8 with their foreign and defence ministers.
