Japan's Cabinet on Friday formally decided to hold a state funeral on Sept 27 for assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe amid national debate over the plan, which some criticise as an attempt to glorify a divisive political figure.
Abe was gunned down earlier this month during a campaign speech in the western city of Nara, shocking a nation known for safety and strict gun control. The alleged gunman was arrested immediately after the shooting and is being detained for interrogation as authorities seek to formally press murder charges.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said a state funeral is appropriate because of Abe's “distinguished contributions” as the longest-serving Japanese leader and his “outstanding leadership and decisive actions” in broad areas including economic recovery, the promotion of diplomacy centered on the Japan-US alliance, and reconstruction following the 2011 tsunami disaster.
Matsuno said the funeral will be a non-religious ceremony held at the Nippon Budokan, an arena originally built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics that has since become a popular venue for sports, concerts and cultural events. The government also holds an annual memorial service on August 15.