Lagatar24 Desk
Tokyo, Sept 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined several global leaders to pay tributes to Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at his state funeral in Tokyo.
Shinzo Abe’s wife Akie carried his ashes into a Tokyo venue where thousands of mourners had gathered on Tuesday as the contentious state burial for the slain former prime minister of Japan got under way.
Due to the significant expenses incurred and the fact that state funerals are only held for members of the Imperial family, the ritual has encountered widespread resistance. Only twice has a politician received a state funeral, the latest time being many years ago.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends the State funeral of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.
Former Japanese PM Abe was shot during a speech in Japan's Nara city on July 8th. pic.twitter.com/3e0dGTa7FT
— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2022
Akie entered the Budokan venue when a 19-gun salute was fired in honour of the former prime while wearing a black kimono. She carried the ashes in a box covered with ornate fabric.
The former prime minister overhauled Japan’s foreign policy, outlining an ambitious plan for a significant improvement in relations with India.
In his meeting with Fumio Kishida on Tuesday, PM Modi emphasised the late Japanese leader’s contributions to advancing the two countries’ relationship as well as his vision for an Indo-Pacific that is free, open, and inclusive.
