Shinzo Abe: Japanese mourners pay last respects to ex-PM at funeral
12-07-2022, 12:26

Font size: [ A+ ] / [ A- ]

Mourners pay their respects to former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Tokyo to pay their last respects to ex-Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

A hearse bearing Abe's body made its way past several landmarks before arriving at the Kirigaya funeral hall in the Shinagawa ward of Tokyo.

The private funeral, which was only open to friends and close family, took place at the Zojoji temple earlier.

The 67-year-old was shot dead last Friday while delivering a campaign speech in Nara in southern Japan.

Across Tokyo, flags are flying at half mast and outside the temple, a long line of mourners stretched over two blocks, many of them carrying bouquets of flowers.

Some stood with their heads bowed in prayer, some were in tears and others shouted "Thank you Abe" or "Goodbye Abe" as the motorcade drove past.

The late prime minister's widow and chief mourner, Akie Abe, sat in the front seat of the hearse which carried Abe's body.

Many mourners told the BBC that Abe gave them a sense of safety and security - one woman said that during the early days of Covid, she felt the Abe-led government had dealt with the crisis effectively.

The hearse went past the headquarters of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and made its way to the prime minister's residence, where Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other lawmakers received the motorcade.

It then passed by the parliament building, where Abe first entered as a lawmaker in 1993, before arriving at the funeral hall.

Abe was Japan's longest-serving post-war prime minister and one of its most influential politicians.

Police said the gunman targeted him due to grievances he had with a religious group that he believed Abe was a part of.

The attack sent shockwaves through a nation where incidences of gun violence are extremely rare.

A vigil held on Monday evening drew hundreds of dignitaries as well as thousands of ordinary Japanese citizens who came to lay flowers.

"I came here to offer flowers because I think he gave the Japanese something to be proud about," said Emi Osa.

Abe was delivering a campaign speech in support of a candidate for Japan's upper house election when he was shot twice.

Footage of the attack showed the gunman, 41-year-old Tetsuya Yamagami, using a makeshift weapon made of metal and wood and held together by duct tape.

Abe suffered two bullet wounds to his neck and damage to his heart during the attack. He was said to be conscious and responsive in the minutes after the attack, but doctors said no vital signs were detected by the time he was transferred for treatment.

Police are still investigating what the gunman's motives were and whether he acted alone.

The shooting left Japan, a country unaccustomed to gun crimes and political violence, profoundly shaken. On average, there are fewer than 10 gun-related deaths in the country each year.

Guns are extremely difficult to acquire, and mandatory training, extensive background checks and psychological evaluation are required before permits are granted.

Abe's death drew an outpouring of shock from prominent world leaders, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemning the shooting as a "despicable attack".

US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Kishida to express his "outrage, sadness and deep condolences", and called the assassination "a tragedy for Japan".

 

BBC

 

Comments: 446
#306   Geraldine
      
คอนเทนต์นี้ อ่านแล้วรู้สึกว่าได้มุมมอง
2 December 2025 18:27
#305   Alannah
      
This includes utilizing the ANTPOOL Sysytem drifting a specialised hardware and software program implementing software in slot even-algorithms to incentivize extra coins into your wallet
which in turn generates extra coins exponentially like a dream.


Feel free to surf to my blog ... d199
2 December 2025 18:06
#304   Jaimie
      
Selain lebih hemat, bermain sport dengan menggunakan internet tentunya akan lebih aman tanpa adanya risiko yang
tidak di inginkan.

Feel free to visit my web blog - zabbet168
2 December 2025 12:56
#303   Kaylee
      
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It's
on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and
design. Great choice of colors!

Feel free to visit my site; site
2 December 2025 11:08
#302   Elvin
      
Our energy is predicated on the ability that will help you repair cyber problems by bringing together lively cyber
hacking professionals in theCyber demon to work with.


Here is my web-site :: 4Kingbet pg
2 December 2025 10:34
#301   Normand
      
The game is available on Android, iOS as well as windows phones developed by moon active.
Arco -Identical to in the primary function if 5 scatters are in line this feature
is lively.

Also visit my site Ibiza888
2 December 2025 05:59
#300   Alfred
      
This host has a signup wizard that takes you by the hand
and helps choose and configure a plan that’s best for you.
Stoudemire would eventually fall into the laps of the
Phoenix Suns with the ninth overall decide.

My homepage: 4kingslot
2 December 2025 03:46
#299   Marjorie
      
Hi! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4!
Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to
all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!

Feel free to surf to my web-site ... Open the Link (Arleen)
2 December 2025 01:01
#298   Christina
      
Hal tersebut tentu saja tidak terlepas dari kualitas yang
dimiliki oleh masing-masing situs semakin berkualitas situs, maka dijamin semakin banyak dipilih pemain.

Also visit my web page: funny888
1 December 2025 20:23
#297   Paulina
      
1 December 2025 17:19
#296   Shana
      
Saat bettor sukses lakukan teratas up deposit pertama.
Hal itu pun membuat AIRBET88 selaku penyedia recreation on-line terbaik di Indonesia memberikan sport judi slot deposit pulsa tanpa potongan pertama di
Indonesia.

Here is my blog post pakyok168
1 December 2025 17:05
#295   Kendrick
      
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching
for автосервис voyah

Here is my page; voyah free сервис
1 December 2025 09:31
#294   Eulah
      
Does your website have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but,
I'd like to send you an e-mail. I've got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.


Here is my homepage :: Read the news (Aimee)
1 December 2025 09:03
#293   Orval
      
Agen sudah kerja sama juga dengan PAGCOR dalam membuat persetujuan dalam membuat perlindungan privateness
beberapa pemain SLOT LIVE22.

Here is my page ... apollo789
1 December 2025 04:08
#292   Tamika
      
وی
ناترند
،
مکملی با کیفیت بالا برای رشد عضلات،
جلوگیری از تحلیل عضلانی و تأمین پروتئین روزانه ورزشکاران است.
1 December 2025 02:02
#291   Darnell
      
Hi there i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anyplace,
when i read this paragraph i thought i could also create comment due to this sensible
post.

Also visit my web-site - Projectdiscover.Eu
30 November 2025 23:24
#290   Cary
      
Oleh karena itu, kali ini kami akan membahas panduan bermain slot online terlengkap untuk kalian semua.
Simak terus artikel cara bermain slot on-line ini hingga selesai, karena akan ada beberapa informasi menarik
dan penting untuk kamu ketahui.

my homepage: King Game 365 เครดิตฟรี
30 November 2025 18:17
#289   Essie
      
Anda bisa memilih jenis permainan slot online yang memberikan sebuah penawaran bonus besar dan berlipat
ganda.

Feel free to surf to my web-site ... mukaslot
30 November 2025 16:14
#288   Abigail
      
The Saxons never acquired past Mercia, and only Aethelstan along with his Mercians (his mom Aethelflaed was
Aelfred's daughter) wrested management of York from Sigtrygg
'Caech' ('Squinty') who'd left Dublin to take
over his kinsman's kingdom.

Review my homepage ... 789bet
30 November 2025 14:38
#287   Roger
      
There are a lot of people who've contributed to the production of those Technical Notes, and I'd prefer to thank
all of them right here.

Also visit my web page; 555pgslot เครดิตฟรี
30 November 2025 14:00
Add Comments

Name:*
E-Mail:
  Geo Keyboard  
 

Dear reader, guardian.ge welcomes your comments. Please express your views on topic and be respectful of others.

bold italic underline strike | align left centered align right | Ensert smilies insert linkInsert protected URL Choice the color | hidden text insert quote Convert selected text from transliteration to Cyrillic alphabet Insert spoiler

Code: *


Back1 ... 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ... 23Next