70-Year-Old Man Attempts Self-Immolation Near Japanese Prime Minister's Residence... Document Found Opposing Abe's State Funeral

Amid rising opposition within Japan to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, police officers and firefighters are investigating a scene near the Prime Minister's residence in Tokyo on the 21st, where a citizen is presumed to have attempted self-immolation in protest against the state funeral.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amid rising opposition within Japan over the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an incident occurred in which a man in his 70s is suspected to have attempted self-immolation in protest against the state funeral.

The Asahi Shimbun reported that at around 6:50 a.m. on the 21st, a report was received of a "man engulfed in flames" on a road near the Prime Minister's residence in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The man suffered burns over his entire body and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he is said to be conscious.

According to investigative officials, the man reportedly stated that he "poured oil on himself and set himself on fire," and a letter expressing "firm opposition" to the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe, scheduled for the 27th, was found at the scene of the self-immolation.

The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, considering the possibility that the man expressed opposition to Abe's state funeral and attempted to take his own life. The Asahi Shimbun also reported that one police officer suffered burns on his right arm while extinguishing the fire.

Meanwhile, according to a public opinion poll conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun on the 17th and 18th, 62% of respondents opposed the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe, more than twice the 27% who supported it. The Nihon Keizai Shimbun also stated, "Although Prime Minister Kishida explained the reasons for holding the state funeral in the Diet, the public still appears unconvinced by the explanation."

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