Japan Govt. Sets Out Procedure For State Funeral Of Former Pm Abe
The Japanese government has set out the procedure to be followed in the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo scheduled for September 27.
Government officials decided on the framework in a meeting on Wednesday.
The event will start at 2 p.m. at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo. Up to 6,000 people are expected to attend, including the heads of Japan's Lower and Upper Houses, the chief justice of the Supreme Court and Diet lawmakers.
Foreign dignitaries and representatives of local Japanese governments and various fields will also be invited. Invitations will be sent out in early September.
Members of the public will be able to place flowers at an altar outside the venue between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day of the funeral.
Officials also confirmed that government ministries and agencies are to express condolences on the day of the funeral.
They are to put any national flags at half-mast and observe a moment of silence.