Australian leader Albanese plus 3 former PMs to attend Abe funeral

It never ceases to surprise me how differently Abe is seen overseas and in Japan.

A nice, rare junket for halfwit Tony Abbott, and the angry geriatric, little Johnny Howard.

Surely the current PM attending would be sufficient.

Cheap trip to Japan with 5 star special treatment while others have trouble to get into the country. And taxpayers have to pay for it.

“In politics sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made”.

Marx (Groucho)

it never ceases to surprise me how differently Abe is seen overseas and in Japan.

His family have been owned by the CIA/US State Department/Unification Church since the 1950s, bulwarks of American global hegemony. Most Japanese understand this, most outside the country don't.

A sign of respect for both Abe and Japan from Australian Prime ministers past and current.

Viewed as anything else is a shame. I would expect Australia to foot the bill for all those visiting.

The Japanese side have made it clear to the Aussies that out of the three whom are planning to attend, two will have to come at their own expense, right?

Right???

But really, if they had any integrity they'd just send Anthony, to show that they are also making sacrifices to save the planet and mitigate against climate change.. Right?

Yeah, nah!

virusrexToday  05:07 pm JST

It never ceases to surprise me how differently Abe is seen overseas and in Japan.

Overseas, Abe was a friend of the US, Australia, UK, EU, and having been PM for an amazing 8 years (for any J-PM) he got to know many foreign leaders. His speech in English before both houses of the US Congress was received with a standing ovation. Basically, he did wonders for Japan on the international stage. But domestically he was the same old typical J-politician, scandals and all. It really is not at all surprising if one has been following the news. Because of this I don't think Japan can not hold a state funeral for Shinzo Abe even if the whole country was against it.

Albo, as the prime minister is welcome, anytime. The other jerks/has-beens are not.

Hope their visa application isn’t in backlog at the Japanese embassy or they can even get a booking to lodge it like rest of the common folk.

More wasted taxpayer money on meaningless luxury travel that does nothing to better the miserable living conditions of the Australian people.