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Vice President Kamala Harris attended the state funeral of assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday, as Tokyo was placed under maximum security due to the high-profile procession.
Harris represented the United States at the ceremony, which was attended by approximately 4,300 people. Other foreign dignitaries at Abe’s funeral include Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Harris sat next to Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, who had previously served as mayor of Chicago.
In a press group after the funeral, Harris said his visit to Japan took place “under very sad circumstances”. “There has been a lot that has been said in honor of his leadership role,” he told reporters.
SHINZO JAPANESE ABE STRIKED AND KILLED: WORLD LEADERS PAY TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRIME MINISTER
Vice President Kamala Harris attends the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022.
(EUGENE HOSHIKO / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Harris praised Abe for “opening up” the Indo-Pacific region, adding that he recently attended a dinner with current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to celebrate Abe’s legacy.
“As a member of the Indo-Pacific region, like America, we appreciate these principles and uphold them, “he said.
Abe, one of Japan’s most polarizing leaders, was shot dead during a campaign in Nara, western Japan, in July, the first assassination of a former Japanese prime minister since 1936.
His sudden death has sparked mixed reactions across the country. Hundreds of people laid bouquets of flowers at Kudanzaka Park in honor of Abe on Tuesday, as former President Trump praised him as “a man who loved and loved his beautiful country” in the wake of his death.
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Vice President Kamala Harris attends the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022.
(FRANCK ROBICHON / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Despite Abe’s popularity as the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history, protests were also expected on the day of his funeral.
The conduct of the funeral itself is a controversial topic in Japan. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Abe deserved a great funeral and said no one is forced to honor Abe.
But Kishida was criticized for organizing the expensive event, which is expected to cost $ 11.5 million. Many protesting Japanese citizens also criticized the ruling party’s close relationship with the Unification Church, claiming that the church gets donations from “brainwashed” citizens.
Tetsuya Yamagami, the man accused of killing Abe, allegedly told police he was motivated to kill Abe because of his affiliation with the Unification Church. He was shocked that his mother had donated a large amount of his family’s money to the church.
Abe’s ashes were brought to the Nippon Budokan arena by his wife, Akie Abe. A cannon shot exploded several times for the procession and could be heard inside the arena where people were sitting.
Prime Minister Fumio praised Abe in Japanese. Other Japanese politicians followed their speeches and confronted Abe’s ashes as they spoke. Abe’s widow was seen on the projector screen as she wiped away her tears during the funeral.
Guests await the start of the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022.
(PHILIP FONG / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Towards the end of the funeral, foreign dignitaries approached to place flowers at the front of the stage, including Vice President Harris and other members of the US delegation.
Vice President Harris will visit the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates the Koreas on Thursday.
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His visit comes just days after North Korea launched a ballistic missile to the sea and amid fears of a possible nuclear test as the Biden administration’s attempts to reach North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have failed.
Harris’s visit will be the first by a senior official in the Biden administration.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
