Funeral for Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Held as Family Ceremony at Tokyo Temple

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyeon-jin] The funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who was attacked and killed during a campaign speech supporting the House of Councillors election in Japan, was held on the 12th as a family funeral at the Jojoji Temple in Tokyo.

According to NHK and other broadcasts, since the funeral was a family ceremony, it was conducted mainly with the chief mourner, his wife Akie, family, and relatives. From the political world, current Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, LDP Secretary-General Motegi Toshimitsu, and key figures from the LDP's largest faction, 'Seiwakai (Abe faction),' attended. After the funeral, which started around 1 p.m., the hearse carrying former Prime Minister Abe's body is scheduled to tour the National Diet, the Prime Minister's Official Residence, and the LDP headquarters?places where he was politically active for 30 years?before heading to the crematorium.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

At Jojoji, where the funeral was held, a condolence altar was set up for the general public, which attracted many mourners from the previous day. On this day as well, about 100 citizens lined up from 8 a.m., an hour before the start of the incense offering.

Before the family funeral, the tsuya (wake?a night vigil held by relatives and acquaintances to comfort the bereaved) held at Jojoji the previous day was attended by 2,500 people including political and business figures, foreign dignitaries, and ordinary citizens, according to Japanese media. Prime Minister Kishida, LDP Vice President Aso Taro, Democratic Party for the People leader Tamaki Yuichiro, and other ruling and opposition politicians, as well as major business leaders, paid their respects.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Among foreign dignitaries, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who was visiting Japan to attend the U.S.-Japan Finance Ministers' Meeting, and Taiwan Vice President Lai Ching-te offered condolences the previous day. Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa said at a regular press conference that morning, "More than 1,700 condolence messages have poured in from 259 countries and regions so far," adding, "Once again, we feel the great diplomatic legacy left by former Prime Minister Abe."

Former Prime Minister Abe began his political career when he was first elected to the House of Representatives (lower house) in 1993 and served as prime minister twice from 2006, holding office for a total of 8 years and 9 months, making him Japan's longest-serving prime minister in history.

The Japanese government has decided to award Abe the country's highest honor, the Order of the Chrysanthemum, to commemorate his achievements. Only four Japanese prime ministers have received this honor since World War II. The memorial service for former Prime Minister Abe, jointly hosted by the Japanese government and the LDP, is scheduled to be held with Prime Minister Kishida serving as the funeral committee chairman, following tradition.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.