In pictures: State funeral of Shinzo Abe
Final respects in Tokyo for Japan's longest-serving prime minister
On the clear autumnal afternoon of Sept. 27, a state funeral was held in Tokyo's Nippon Budokan arena for Shinzo Abe, the former Japanese prime minister who was assassinated in July while giving an election campaign speech. Some 4,300 people attended, including dignitaries from Asia and around the world. A special stand had been erected near the venue to receive flowers from members of the public.
Foreign leaders included U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
This was the first state funeral in Japan for 55 years, and public opinion has been divided on the issue. The last such ceremony for a prime minister was in 1967 and honored Shigeru Yoshida, who was prime minister five times between 1946 and 1954 in the delicate postwar period.
The flag in front of Tokyo Station in Chiyoda Ward flew at half-mast. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
The flag in front of Tokyo Station in Chiyoda Ward flew at half-mast. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Police closed off Yasukuni dori street in the morning ahead of Abe's funeral. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Police closed off Yasukuni dori street in the morning ahead of Abe's funeral. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
People pray for Shinzo Abe at the spot where he was shot on July 8 in front of Yamato Saidaiji Station in Nara prefecture. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
People pray for Shinzo Abe at the spot where he was shot on July 8 in front of Yamato Saidaiji Station in Nara prefecture. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu)
There were traffic restrictions on parts of Tokyo's Shuto Expressway during the funeral. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
There were traffic restrictions on parts of Tokyo's Shuto Expressway during the funeral. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura)
A long line formed as mourners queued to pay their last respects. (Photo by Masayuki Kozono)
A long line formed as mourners queued to pay their last respects. (Photo by Masayuki Kozono)
A simple portrait of the former prime minister overlooked an area set up to receive floral tributes. (Pool photo)
A simple portrait of the former prime minister overlooked an area set up to receive floral tributes. (Pool photo)
Some members of the public were overcome with emotion as they laid floral tributes to the late prime minister. (Pool photo)
Some members of the public were overcome with emotion as they laid floral tributes to the late prime minister. (Pool photo)
Abe's widow, Akie, traveled by limousine from the couple's home to Nippon Budokan. The couple married in 1987 and had no children. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Abe's widow, Akie, traveled by limousine from the couple's home to Nippon Budokan. The couple married in 1987 and had no children. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
The funeral congregation inside Nippon Budokan was entirely dressed in black. ©Reuters
The funeral congregation inside Nippon Budokan was entirely dressed in black. ©Reuters
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was among the foreign dignitaries who attended. ©︎Reuters
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was among the foreign dignitaries who attended. ©︎Reuters
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen arriving at Nippon Budokan. ©︎Reuters
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen arriving at Nippon Budokan. ©︎Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his new Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese. ©︎Reuters
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with his new Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese. ©︎Reuters
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force fired cannon salutes in the grounds of Nippon Budokan. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Members of the Ground Self-Defense Force fired cannon salutes in the grounds of Nippon Budokan. (Photo by Mizuho Miyazaki)
Akie Abe was met by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as she arrived for the funeral of her late husband, Shinzo Abe. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Akie Abe was met by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as she arrived for the funeral of her late husband, Shinzo Abe. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Akie Abe followed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida into Nippon Budokan. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
Akie Abe followed Prime Minister Fumio Kishida into Nippon Budokan. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The honor guard wore crisp white uniforms. ©︎Reuters
The honor guard wore crisp white uniforms. ©︎Reuters
Akie Abe handed her late husband's remains to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. (Pool photo)
Akie Abe handed her late husband's remains to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. (Pool photo)
Pictures of Shinzo Abe appeared on massive screens in the arena. ©︎Reuters
Pictures of Shinzo Abe appeared on massive screens in the arena. ©︎Reuters
Shinzo Abe's widow, Akie, has a sad moment alone as the somber congregation views images of her late husband on massive screens. ©︎Reuters
Shinzo Abe's widow, Akie, has a sad moment alone as the somber congregation views images of her late husband on massive screens. ©︎Reuters
A grim Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walks out on stage during Abe's state funeral. ©︎Reuters
A grim Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walks out on stage during Abe's state funeral. ©︎Reuters
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida makes an address before the funeral center piece. ©︎Reuters
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida makes an address before the funeral center piece. ©︎Reuters
Yoshihide Suga, Abe's immediate successor as prime minister in 2020. ©︎AP
Yoshihide Suga, Abe's immediate successor as prime minister in 2020. ©︎AP
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko led dignitaries in paying their final respects. ©︎Reuters
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko led dignitaries in paying their final respects. ©︎Reuters
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, prepare to lay flowers. ©︎AP
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife, Ho Ching, prepare to lay flowers. ©︎AP
Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, right, prepares to pay his final respects. ©︎AP
Vietnam's President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, right, prepares to pay his final respects. ©︎AP
Elsewhere in Tokyo, pockets of protesters rallied against the state funeral, which has left public opinion divided. ©︎Reuters
Elsewhere in Tokyo, pockets of protesters rallied against the state funeral, which has left public opinion divided. ©︎Reuters
Some protesters rallied outside parliament. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Some protesters rallied outside parliament. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)
Akie Abe departed the Nippon Budokan bearing her late husband's ashes. ©︎Reuters
Akie Abe departed the Nippon Budokan bearing her late husband's ashes. ©︎Reuters
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