A state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unfolded in Tokyo on a Tuesday, drawing attendees from across the nation and around the world. The event, seen by many as a defining moment in Japan’s public life, attracted thousands of participants and sparked intense debate about the use of public funds for such ceremonies.
The funeral began in the pavilion shortly after 5:00 p.m. local time, with the ashes of Abe laid carefully in the samovar stage before a solemn procession through the capital. Video cameras rolled as flowers were laid and tributes were read in a ceremony that featured contributions from multiple political figures, each honoring the former leader in their own way.
Executive spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno announced the proceedings, noting that the ceremony officially opened in the pavilion, which had been adorned with a large portrait of Abe and floral arrangements symbolizing Japan’s mountains. The National Anthem was performed, followed by a minute of silence to reflect on Abe’s career and the circumstances of his death.
During the address, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed a personal wish that Abe would have lived much longer. “Abe, you’re someone who should have lived much, much longer”, Kishida said, recalling the tragedy of the assassin’s attack at a July rally. He added that Abe could have continued guiding Japan and the world for another decade or two, as a compass in turbulent times.
Among the attendees were nearly 700 foreign dignitaries, Abe’s widow Akie Abe, and United States Vice President Kamala Harris, among others. Also present were Charles Michel, President of the European Council; Manuel Marrero, Prime Minister of Cuba; and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. Colombia’s First Lady attended, along with key figures from international sports and diplomacy. Thomas Bach, then-president of the International Olympic Committee, and various foreign ministers joined the gathering, along with the president of the Spanish Senate, Ander Gil.
a divided japan
On Tuesday morning, thousands queued in Tokyo’s Kudanzaka Park to lay flowers and bid farewell to Japan’s longest-serving postwar leader, who governed from 2012 to 2020. A Tokyo native, Yoshihiro Hayasaka, 53, was among the first to offer his tribute. He waited about two hours to express his respect and condolences as a citizen who believed Abe worked for the country and died under difficult circumstances.
Nearby, about a thousand people gathered in Hibiya Park to protest the state funeral and to criticize Abe’s militaristic stance and political legacy. Critics argued that the ceremony symbolized a drift away from democratic norms and questioned the propriety of publicly funded memorials for political figures.
Retired resident Shimasaki Kobae voiced opposition to the event, calling it a threat to democracy. He and others argued that Abe’s policies had endangered democratic values in Japan. As the date approached, demonstrations intensified, echoing a recent NHK poll showing broad public unease about the funeral.
Historically, Abe’s state funeral marked only the second such ceremony in postwar Japan, following a memorial for Shigeru Yoshida in 1967. Government figures cited the cost of the ceremony at roughly 11.8 million euros, or about 1.649 billion yen, underscoring the financial and symbolic weight of the decision.
condolence diplomacy
Kishida leveraged the gathering to engage in what local media described as condolence diplomacy. The prime minister held bilateral discussions with Harris, Modi, Michel, and other leaders to reinforce international ties and regional partnerships. The visit also served as a platform to reaffirm Japan’s diplomatic stance in a shifting global landscape.
Foreign counterparts, including Britain’s Foreign Secretary, echoed admiration for Abe’s legacy and expressed hopes that his influence would remain a guiding thread in ongoing international relations. Some observers noted that the current leadership aimed to balance a global role with internal priorities, preserving Abe’s diplomatic footprint without overarching exposure on the world stage.
Abe passed away on July 8 at the age of 67 after he was shot during a campaign event in Nara. His family held a private funeral at Tokyo’s Zojoji Temple that same month, while thousands of supporters, party members, opposition figures, and diplomats participated in the public observance. The broader national conversation continued to reflect on Abe’s impact and the country’s evolving political course.