Tense Japan holds funeral for assassinated ex-leader Shinzo Abe

Thousands of protesters have gathered as the controversial state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Mr Abe, prime minister from 2006-07 and 2012-2020, was killed in July, but feelings of goodwill are rubbing against tensions with Mr Abe considered one of the country’s most divisive leaders.

Mr Abe was cremated in July after a private funeral at a Tokyo temple days after he was assassinated while giving a campaign speech on a street in Nara, a city in western Japan.

Government, parliamentary and judicial representatives, including prime minister Fumio Kishida, are later set to make condolence speeches, followed by the former first lady.

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[princegabriel]

The earth is therefore nothing but a graveyard without abe. Abe seemed the only hope of earth now he is no more therefore why do we still need here . Abe is our lifetime gold

[ninasikand]

His death and actual funeral took place in July. It makes no sense to fake this funeral more than two months later.

[guff]

Why are they all dressed in European clothing?

[beardedbaldie]

Is that part of the world ever going to move on from masks? It’s like watching some depressing sci-fi. This isn’t normal behaviour!