The State Funeral of Shinzo Abe Triggers Protests

September 26, 2022 By Raulf Hernes

(Image Credit Google)

BBC recently reported that the "great and good" of the world gathered in London a week ago for Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral. Now, many of them are traveling to another continent for the state burial of Shinzo Abe, the late former prime minister of Japan, who was shot dead at an election rally in July. However, it seems that the Japanese are not very happy about it since it is expected to cost $11.4 million (1.65 billion yen). The state funeral has come under increasing fire in recent weeks. According to polls, more than half of the people in the nation are currently opposed to holding it. On Monday, about 10,000 protesters demanded that the funeral be postponed as they marched through the city streets.

On the other hand, the event is attracting allies of Japan from throughout the world. US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend instead of US President Joe Biden. Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister of Singapore, is also on his way. And so are Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, and three of his predecessors. And despite not attending the Queen's burial, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is traveling to Tokyo to offer his respects to Shinzo Abe. On the other hand, China sent Vice President Wang Qishan to London. But sends a former science and technology minister to Tokyo for Abe's funeral.

Why the protests?

The people who are against the state funeral in Tokyo claim that Abe was pushing Japan toward war. A protester Machiko Takumi reported that Abe had approved the collective self-defense measure. "It means Japan will fight with the Americans, which means he made Japan able to go to war again. That's why I oppose a state funeral," Takumi said. Shinzo Abe

In a nation traumatized by war, the people's ire toward Abe is not solely motivated by recollections of atomic bombs. The post-World War II constitution of Japan declares unequivocally that the nation "renounces the right to wage war." So, Abe should have called a referendum if he wished to change it. But he was aware that he would lose. So instead, his law "re-interpreted" the meaning of the constitution. According to Professor Koichi Nakano of Tokyo's Sophia University, "Abe is seen as somebody who was not accountable to the people. Whatever he did, he did it against constitutional principles and the principles of democracy." Shinzo Abe

Besides, state funerals are only held for members of the Imperial Family in Japan. And the only politician to receive this honor was way back in 1967. So all these reasons—the importance of a state funeral, the cost, and people's animosity towards Abe's actions might be fueling the protests.