The government said on Sept. 6 it will allocate an additional 1.4 billion yen ($9.97 million) for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to cover costs for security and the welcoming of foreign dignitaries.
TOKYO - With flowers, prayers and a 19-gun salute, Japan honoured slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday (Sept 27) at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years - a ceremony that has become as controversial as he was in life. The ceremony started at 2:00pm (0500 GMT) (1pm Singapore time), with Abe's ashes carried.
The government opted not to hold an appropriate ceremony to quietly mourn for a former prime minister who was tragically assassinated during an election campaign.
Japan will honour on Tuesday its assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a polarising figure who dominated modern-day politics as its longest-serving leader, with a rare state funeral that has become nearly as divisive as he was.