Japan’s $1.83 Million State Funeral for Shinzo Abe Sparks Public Backlash
On Friday, Japan’s government announced it will pay the full cost of Shinzo Abe’s state funeral—$1.83 million (S$2.5 million)—with taxpayer dollars alone. That decision comes on the heels of a national outcry over the ruling party’s ties to the Unification Church.
Why This Funeral Is So Controversial
- Abe’s Legacy – Abe was Japan’s longest‑serving premier, but he was also a polarizing figure.
- Timing – Abe was gunned down at an election rally on July 8, and although dignitaries met shortly after, the official state funeral will take place at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan arena on September 27.
- Funding – Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has followed in Abe’s footsteps, decided the entire fee will come from the state.
Public Opinion: A Steady 53% Against
Recent polls show that a majority of residents are opposed to a state‑funded funeral. In the most recent survey released Sunday, 53 % said “no” to the idea.
The Unification Church Angle
- The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been accused of having deep ties to the Unification Church, a South Korean organization known for its massive wedding ceremonies.
- Many citizens feel these connections were never fully explained, turning the LDP into a headache for Prime Minister Kishida and eroding public trust.
- Rumors claim that the suspected assassin, who was apprehended instantly after the shooting, harbored a personal vendetta against the church, blaming it for his mother’s financial ruin.
Political Fallout
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno explained that “Japan needs to respond to international etiquette by hosting this funeral as an official event with foreign visitors.” He also highlighted the nation’s longstanding tradition: the last state‑funded funeral for a prime minister was for Shigeru Yoshida in 1967.
International leaders are expected to attend. Media reports mention that former US President Barack Obama’s attendance is being negotiated, while Russia’s Vladimir Putin will not take part.
Bottom Line
Japan finds itself juggling a hefty funeral bill, a public that’s currently skeptical of government ties to shadowy churches, and the dampening effect on political support for Prime Minister Kishida. Whether the state funeral will fit into this delicate balance remains to be seen.
