Tokyo Gears Up for a Big‑Picture Funeral
It’s almost a holiday in Tokyo – the day after the Fourth of July in the U.S. – as Japan sets the stage for a state funeral that’s been as controversial as the man himself.
The Man, The Myth, The Stir
Shinzo Abe, who steered Japan for 15 years, was shot while rallying supporters on July 8. The dead man has stirred a storm of revelations about links between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Unification Church, a group some critics swear down as a cult.
Now the new Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has apologized and promised to scratch that church‑tie from the party Bible.
The Funeral Debate
Because this is a state funeral – the first since 1967 – there’s a huge cost: $11.5 million (S$16.5 million) to the taxpayers. With the economy feeling a bit rash, ordinary folks are asking, “Should we even spend this much?”
Words from the Front Lines
- Hidemi Noto, 38, assistant movie director: “I don’t think this funeral should be held. It’s not a normal funeral – tax money is not for this.”
- Bystanders: a few hundred lined the street, offering flowers to those attending hats a human route.
Who’s Coming?
Expecting 4,300 guests – Dabbling in honour guard cannons and thundering speeches – 48 current or former government figures will attend.
- US Vice President Kamala Harris (traveling from the Americas)
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – because everyone likes an Asian leader in a big event.
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – no, he had to cancel to attend to a domestic crisis.
Security and the Crowd
Tens of thousands of polite police will guard the site, sticking roads in place like a well‑beaten football formation. Schools might even shut – a big reminder that the nation’s safety is a top priority.
The Grandeur of the Day
- 2 pm: the ceremony kicks off.
- Abe’s ashes will be uploaded to the hall.
- An honour guard fires a 19‑round salute from a cannon – an old‑school salute to something that seems a lot like a camera flash for those watching on social media.
Greening the Message
Prime Minister Kishida says the funeral is honouring Abe’s achievements and upholding democracy. But surveys every day reveal two thirds of the Japanese saying “I’m not from your side.” A multi‑specter opinion, it gives the funeral a generational drama.
International Glance
During the U.S. press, a senior Biden administration officer sat on a chair and told everyone “We can’t comment on—” leaving the Japanese public to fill in the gaps. It’s a minute that lingers in the air, like a velvet curtain drawn aside, leaving only the signal of “he was a great partner for the U.S.” The Vice President tipping a ceremonial hat to his legacy in the final act.
