Slain ex-PM Abe honored at divisive state funeral

About 1.7 billion yen ($11.8 million) is needed for the venue, security, transportation and accommodation for the guests, the government said.

This money should be spent on the living, not the dead.

Japan holds...

No don't confuse the rest of Japan with the ruling Liberal Democratic party. Headline should read Kishida and the rest of the LDP party forces an unwanted state funeral for ex-leader Abe amid tensions.

Never liked the guy much but I met him and his wife once. His English wasn’t bad and he was friendly. Didn’t agree with his politics but he didn’t deserve that kind of death. Across the world it’s common for former leaders to get a state funeral out of respect. Even John McCain received a state funeral and he was never president. People here should stop complaining and just accept it whether you liked the guy or not.

While I am in agreement mostly here, since many of us are paying for it, we have a total right to complain about it.

Japan is filled with tension, rather than sadness, on Tuesday as a rare state funeral for the assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, one of the most divisive leader, deeply splits the nation.

Over exaggeration as I see it! No one where I work even cares or even talks about it!

Just find it rather amusing that now he's dead, people, as in the media, is even talking about his "divisive" legacy!

When he was alive, NO ONE in the media would have dared to use words like "divisive" or that he "split the nation". Nearly everyone walked in lock-step with him and his policies.

Which says a hell of a lot, to me at least, about the type of "leader" he really was!

So many will be so glad when the spectacle comes to an end

It isn't about the inconvenience, it is about the ridiculous amount of money being thrown away for this event in the midst of an economic crisis.

Like many posters said I don't think anyone cares in the slightest about Abe or his legacy.

He didn't deserve to get shot.

But his wife was involved in the Osaka school scandal, no doubt Abe knew and a bureaucrat killed himself over being made to lie.

I'd say Abe was more respected outside his country than inside.

Saw on Twitter that the only bidder for the event (Maruyama) was the same one involved in the cherry blossom scandal.

Even in death, corruption prevails. No wonder this is more expensive than The Queen of England’s funeral!!!

Japanese troops will line the streets around the venue, and 20 of them will perform guards of honor outside of Abe's home as his family leaves, then there will be a 19-volley salute.

Imagine being in Tokyo and trying to move around with all this going on?

So many will be so glad when the spectacle comes to an end

Just had a quick peek at the TV. Man, that is some DPRK level diety worship going on.

Thankfully, one can also see a loud, rather large protest as well (if one is on foreign news) so at least there is that.

Boy, that’s a metric ton of bored cops in an empty expanse.

Public funds put to good use indeed.

NHK World News asked (almost begged) viewers to tune in at 1330hrs JST today. in order to watch the Funeral.

I for one, won't be watching.

Wonder what the viewing figures will be like ?

Isn't it a great feeling tucking down on your conbini cup noodle knowing you paid for one of these guys ginza steak dinners tonight.

The very definition of pork barrel spending

This money should be spent on the living, not the dead.

Impossible to give any coinage to Abe.

Abe served a long term because those LDP party congresspersons voted for him to be the leader. But half of those congresspersons got their seats at the diet with the help of Unification Church, so I have to wonder if Abe's prime minister-ship had any validity.

A state funeral that has apparently 'split public opinion'. But you know full well, that no matter what the LDP does, they will still win the next general election and continue remaining in power....

Opponents say holding a state funeral for Abe is equivalent to an endorsement of ruling party ties to the Unification Church.

St. Abe of the Moonies--has a nice ring to it.

Forget the LDP, it has been the Moonies running Japan for the past 70 years. Go figure.

Saturation on TV, really! One channel is enough.

He was to meet about 40 foreign leaders through Wednesday, but no Group of Seven leaders are attending.

Says a lot about Abe's legacy with the G-7 HEADS of state!

Al Jazeera just said Abe’s funeral is more expensive than the English queens one.

protesters are being kept away.

The costs of the funeral of QEII have not been released.

The Evening Standard has argued that when the funeral expenses, bank holidays, and the coronation of  King Charles III are combined, the Queen’s death will cost “billions” in total.

Money was earned from the millions of tourists flooding into London.

To summarize. Men making speeches (and bowing). Where is the other 50%?

Tense tensions are tensing up!

Peter14Today  06:31 pm JST

lots of complaints from people who never did a fraction of what Abe did for his country.

For Shinzo Abe, Japan= LDP + LDP voters + LDP donors so no, I never did anything for "his" country.

My view of Abe as a foreigner is naturally colored by how he acted internationally rather than domestically. He was a respected statesman abroad. Apparently many domestically hated the man. A shame.

You don't appear to have any idea as to why that might be. Actually reading the article might give you a few hints.

I have returned home, my neighbours view  Shinzo Abe/the LDP as the saviours of the whole agricultural community regardless of any political economic legitimacy.

The whole ceremony, a vigil for a politician, a former Prime Minster, is cemented to a past that refuses to step back and create a prosperous future, to deal with depopulation, the struggles that so many of these elite take for granted.

Akie Abe, the widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, carries his ashes.

Very sad for her.

We watched it on our iPhones over lunch.

Like it or NOT Japan's Democracy was at full display to world leaders at the funeral and outside with the protesters expressing their opposition, may be some of them will know Japan better and learn how valuable is freedom of expression.

So, THAT'S what ¥1.6 Billion looks like?

HMMM.

I mean, I guess that's a lot of pretty flowers.

The arena already had the seat available. I don't see any catering.

Well, at least we can move on now. Pockets have already been lined.

That's a lot of security for a guy nobody really misses very much.

To be clear, I feel sorry for the guy. He was a jerk, but he didn't deserve that.

The ceremony will start when Abe's widow, Akie Abe, enters the hall carrying an urn containing her husband's ashes, placed in a wooden box and wrapped in white cloth. The former leader was cremated after a private funeral at a Tokyo temple days after his death.

So, Akie already cremated him but we still have to have this "Funeral" at state expense. Wonderful.

Fun fact: It cost less (according to one of my Brit friends) to put Queen Elizabeth in the ground than it's costing to comemorate a guy who wasn't the head of government (or state) at the time of his death.

I guess there isn't a Ralph's around here. (Only fans of "The Big Lebowski" will get the reference.)

RIP Mr. Abe.

So many will be so glad when the spectacle comes to an end

I don't think it will. I fear the next few days will see Abe again and again in the news. And here as well there will be articles flooding JT about Abe. Let's not forget his hometown is going to give him a THIRD sendoff. THAT'LL flood the news yet again.

Japan's hawkish former leader Shinzo Abe was honored by a rare and divisive state funeral Tuesday that was full of militaristic presentation like soldiers carrying his ashes in a box brought by his widow and praise of his nine-year premiership.

I wonder why the author chooses to open the article with this biased “observation.”

Name one country in which the military or police (in a country that has no military such as Costa Rica) are not involved in the mortuary affairs of state funerals.

LIVE】安倍元首相「国葬」映像ライブ The State Funeral for Shinzo Abe (Full Live stream)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssVOfiDT8ew

The Courtage is on its way.

“Imagine being in Tokyo and trying to move around with all this going on?”

whats in your imagination? I am in Tokyo. Commuting back and forth with song public transportation like most people do. No issue. Nothing close to your imagination.

There is no way Abe's funereal was most costly than the Queen of England - the queen funereal was in the making for decades and shut the whole city, and banking system down. Let's not exaggerate here.

Although this expensive event against the majority shouldn’t have taken place, but now afterwards one has to admit it was perfectly orchestrated, followed correctly the protocols and rankings and also former PM Suga’s speech was very impressive, outstanding in its more personal words and unusual level of emotionality.

lots of complaints from people who never did a fraction of what Abe did for his country. The lack of compassion and gratitude is quite astounding. Japan seems to be full of angry people with little thought for anyone but themselves. I know there are good people in Japan, but they dont seem to be posting today on JT. Perhaps they are in mourning for Abe.

My view of Abe as a foreigner is naturally colored by how he acted internationally rather than domestically. He was a respected statesman abroad. Apparently many domestically hated the man. A shame.

Rest in peace, Abe-san, we are hurt for such a tragic ending .. . .

My neighbours invited me to there home to view the ceremony. We are drinking a very good sake. The occasion is solemn and respectful. Some shed tears.

Maybe later they will shed some light on the cultural significance.

A beautiful service and send-off to a national hero.

RIP, Mr Prime Minister.

Those opposing in such demonstration look hiding their faces. Those lining up to mourn don't .

Former Prime Minister Abe was held in high esteem in the hearts and minds of Indian people. He had devoted his best for the promotion of strong Japan India ties and took it to new strategic height during his tenure . We fondly remember when had visited Gugarat alongwith Mrs AKIE and was given a grand welcome rarely given to any visiting foreign dignitary in India. PEOPLE of INDIA mourn his untimely death and pay our respect to his memory . and pray to God to rest his soul in peace .

The late PM isn’t my fan. But having served for so long he deserves the honor of a state funeral. It’s not easy being a leader and of a country of more than 120 million people. Even if he had not served for long I still think he deserves it like any other. You may disagree with fine of his political and historical views it shouldn’t cloud our minds to honor him our last…

Never liked the guy much but I met him and his wife once. His English wasn’t bad and he was friendly. Didn’t agree with his politics but he didn’t deserve that kind of death. Across the world it’s common for former leaders to get a state funeral out of respect. Even John McCain received a state funeral and he was never president. People here should stop complaining and just accept it whether you liked the guy or not.

Haters gunna hate. RIP Abesan. Take zero head of those that enjoy attacking a guy that can’t fight back. Is there ever a prime minister or leader that isn’t controversial, in any country.

God bless the late great Shinzo Abe and his family. He served his country well and was assassinated by a madman. He deserves to rest in peace.