Obama to skip Abe's state funeral; Hagerty to attend

That’s politics and politicians for you, alive they shower you with warm praise, dead you are nothing to them and a serving of cold shoulder it is.

Considering Abe ran off to visit Trump right after the 2016 election snubbing the sitting president, Obama, it sounds fine to me.

Exactly, what about Trump? He and “Prime minister Abi” were the best of friends less we forget. Hamburgers, golf, sumo trophies. C’mon Orange one. Do your friend a solid.

Agree with others - while I'm sure Obama and Abe were friends, they weren't the golfing selfie buddies Abe and the spray-tanned, orange hair dyed, drama queen from Queens were....

But then, he is under multiple criminal investigations and I'm sure the DOJ doesn't want him jetting off overseas...

As close as Japan is to Russia, I'd say that's a wise decision...

it is wrong not to invite president trump.

Obama to skip Abe's state funeral; 

Good. Its beneath him.

Considering Abe ran off to visit Trump right after the 2016 election snubbing the sitting president, Obama, it sounds fine to me.

EXACTLY!! THIS!!

Agree with others - while I'm sure Obama and Abe were friends, 

I heard they actually disliked each other.

The government will hold the funeral "as an official state event to express the nation's respect and condolences as a whole, and we will invite representatives of each country to this occasion," Kishida has said.

the nation's respect and condolences as a whole??

Abe was reviled as PM except by the right wing of Japan and the US and those in US intelligence, and that's about it. There was SOME public sympathy for him when he was slain- but that evaporated in light of the ties to the moonies.

Kishida is full of it, and he is just pandering to the right wing.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama is no longer expected to attend the state funeral of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to be held later this month, U.S. and Japanese sources said Saturday.

My respect for the former President can only grow.

The U.S. delegation to Japan will be led by Vice President Kamala Harris.

Should have just sent Pelosi.

Obama knew Abe well, probably why he's not attending.

If nothing is to be gained…Obama will disappear.

Obama/Clinton were the instigators of the soft coup that ousted Hatoyama Yukio in 2010 and led to the return of Abe and the LDP. Now that Abe's murder has led to the exposure of his family's multi-generational connections to the fascist cult Unification Church, the US political elite are distancing themselves from the scandal.

Obama to skip Abe's state funeral; Hagerty to attend

downgrade. Who else is dropping out?

smart moves

There now follows a party political funeral on behalf if the LDP.

Paid for by your tax. Personally I would prefer the money was burnt to keep warm.

Best not to be seen close to such a controversial figure as Abe.

it is wrong not to invite president trump.

Who needs that clown at a funeral??..

And this helps us pay our bills how? So why should anyone care?

kyushubill

And this helps us pay our bills how?

It doesn't. Quite the opposite. It is using our hard earned taxes to fund a pork barrel funeral. Can't believe Abe's dead and yet he's still fleecing the country.

So why should anyone care?

We don't. I've personally said that I'm fed up with hearing about the damn funeral. I'm resigned to the fact that the LDP is governing like a feudal gov and doesn't care about the will of the people, otherwise the funeral wouldn't go on. But it is and fine. so be it.

I just wish we didn't have to hear about it every day

In the UK, it's usually the case that a state funeral is held for a monarch.　Winston Churchill's was an exception in that point. But it is said a state funeral for Churchill was decided to be held by the decree of Queen Elizabeth II.

A state funeral for Shinzo Abe, however, decided on by the Kishida cabinet alone, hence causing pros and cons about it.

Why not invite Trump?

That would be so funny. Like watching a Japanese funeral changing into an American carnival.

It should also be added that Trump is such a showboat that he’d be jealous of the corpse if it received more attention than him.

President Obama knew what a criminal and revisionist Abe was.

Abe did not like that Pres. Obama was too smart for him. Pres. Obama was famous made world leader moves and was praised. This is still happening after his presidency. The average person around the world would not know Abe from Ken Watanabe.

Considering Abe ran off to visit Trump right after the 2016 election snubbing the sitting president, Obama, it sounds fine to me.

trump's presidency was riddled with scandals and ended in humiliation. Similarly, Abe's role as leader was filled with scandals and embarrassment, and he had to quit because of them.

(trump = Abe) - Bird's of a feather!!!

President Obama knew what a criminal and revisionist Abe was.

Abe did not like that Pres. Obama was too smart for him. Pres. Obama was famous made world leader moves and was praised. This is still happening after his presidency. The average person around the world would not know Abe from Ken Watanabe.

Considering Abe ran off to visit Trump right after the 2016 election snubbing the sitting president, Obama, it sounds fine to me.

trump's presidency was riddled with scandals and ended in humiliation. Similarly, Abe's role as leader was filled with scandals and embarrassment, and he had to quit because of them.

(trump = Abe) - Bird's of a feather!!!

best post I read all day!

I'm sure Mr Abe will be disappointed...

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki is reported not to attend Abe’s state funeral, actually a memorial or remembrance service. Condolences have already been sent by Tamaki to the bereaved family, the report says.

Flags will not be hoisted half-mast at the prefectural government building either, it is reported.

blue- Fantastic post!

Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki is reported not to attend Abe’s state funeral, actually a memorial or remembrance service. Condolences have already been sent by Tamaki to the bereaved family, the report says.

Flags will not be hoisted half-mast at the prefectural government building either, it is reported.

Good on Gov Tamaki! Well done!

Abe was only important in Japan or with non-Japanese speaking journalists who only understood to Abe's catch phrases like the most ridiculous "Abenomics".

Sorry that Obama coudn't make it - whassup with that Barry!?

But Hagerty an excellent representative for the States. Welcome back Ambassador!

Open-minded

Agree mate!