Civil Groups Protest State Funeral For Former Prime Minister Abe
People have rallied in Tokyo to protest against the government's decision to hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo. Abe was shot dead on July 8 while making a campaign speech for a candidate in the Upper House election.
Public opinion in Japan is split over whether Abe should be accorded such an honor.
Civil groups who say it is inappropriate demonstrated on Wednesday outside the Diet. Organizers say 4,000 people took part, including opposition lawmakers. Participants chanted slogans saying a state funeral would violate the Constitution.
A protester said she opposes a state funeral for Abe because she believes it would be illegal.
Another said that "at least enough discussion should be done in Japan's Diet" since the government plans to spend a lot of taxpayers' money on the funeral.
The Cabinet approved last week the expenditure of about 250 million yen, or about 1.8 million dollars, for the funeral. The figure does not include expenditures on police security. Opposition parties say the final bill could reach several billion yen, or tens of millions of dollars.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio explained why he thinks the state funeral is justified.
He touted Abe's role as Japan's longest-serving prime minister and said he wants to honor the leadership he showed at home and abroad.
"Abe was killed during an election campaign -- something fundamental for democracy. The funeral will show that Japan won't tolerate such acts of violence," Kishida said.
He also said that he will spell out in the Diet why the government will hold the state funeral.
The ceremony will take place in Tokyo from 2 p.m. on September 27. Up to 6,000 people are expected to attend, including foreign VIPs.