Controversy Over Costs of Former Japanese Prime Minister Abe's State Funeral... Criticism of Tax Waste

Majority Opposition to National Funeral Leads to First Reversal
Japanese Government Proceeds with National Funeral Without Legal Basis or Parliamentary Consent

The state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is just three weeks away, and opposition among the Japanese public is growing. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] With the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe just three weeks away, public opposition in Japan is rising.

When Abe's state funeral was first decided, opinions in favor were slightly more numerous. However, recent polls show an overwhelming majority opposing it.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 6th, a nationwide survey conducted from the 2nd to the 4th with 1,075 voters found that 56% responded negatively (opposed) to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision to hold Abe's state funeral, while 38% responded positively (in favor).

When the same newspaper conducted a similar poll last month, 49% were in favor and 46% opposed, showing a narrow margin with more positive opinions.

This recent poll marks the first time opposition to the state funeral has surpassed support. More than half of all respondents expressed opposition, indicating a significant shift in public opinion compared to the previous survey.

◆ The biggest reason for the change in public opinion is the 'huge tax burden'

Shinzo Abe was Japan's longest-serving prime minister. Many Japanese people supported him and mourned his death. However, the main reason for the negative views on his state funeral among the Japanese public is the enormous tax expenditure involved.

Initially, the Japanese government announced that the budget for Abe's state funeral would be 2.5 billion yen (approximately 24.4 billion KRW). It was decided at the Cabinet meeting to cover this from this year's contingency budget. This budget does not include expenses required for the attendance of foreign dignitaries at the state funeral.

The Japanese government refused to disclose the total cost of the state funeral in advance, citing that costs related to foreign dignitaries had not been finalized. Opposition parties demanded the disclosure of specific costs.

As the expenses for the state funeral remained unclear, opposition within Japan grew, and support for the Kishida Cabinet declined.

In response, the Japanese government, which had previously planned to disclose the total cost after the event, changed its policy to release the estimated total cost in advance, considering the domestic opposition to the state funeral.

On the 6th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno held a press conference and announced that in addition to the previously allocated 2.5 billion yen (about 24.4 billion KRW) for Abe's state funeral, an additional approximately 1.4 billion yen (about 13.68 billion KRW) would be required. Of this 1.4 billion yen, 800 million yen is for expenses, and 600 million yen is for hosting foreign dignitaries.

Opposition to the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe is rising, placing a significant burden on the Kishida Cabinet's governance. Public sentiment against the cabinet led by Prime Minister Kishida, who decided on Abe's state funeral, is spreading.
Photo by Yonhap News

◆ Japanese public anger over the state funeral decision made without proper procedures

The Japanese government unilaterally decided on the state funeral without legal grounds or parliamentary approval. This has sparked public opposition in Japan.

As opposition to Abe's state funeral grows, it is becoming a significant burden on the Kishida Cabinet's governance. Public opinion opposing the cabinet led by Prime Minister Kishida, who decided on Abe's state funeral, is spreading.

In the recent Yomiuri survey, the Kishida Cabinet's approval rating was 50%, similar to last month's 51%. However, negative evaluations of the cabinet surged to 41% from 34% last month. This is the first time negative evaluations of the Kishida Cabinet have exceeded 40%.

Meanwhile, Abe's state funeral is scheduled to be held on the 27th at 2 p.m. at the Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. Approximately 6,000 people are expected to attend, including Japan's legislative, executive, and judicial heads, members of the National Diet, prominent foreign dignitaries, local government officials, and representatives from various sectors.

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