Summary

  • Several thousand protesters gathered as Japan held a state funeral for Japan’s slain former prime minister Shinzo Abe

  • Leaders from around the world were in Tokyo to pay tribute to the country's longest-serving PM

  • But protesters argued the event used precious state resources that could be directed towards more pressing needs

  • State funerals are normally reserved for Japan's Imperial Family - but Abe has been given the honour as the country's longest serving PM

  • Abe, 67, was gunned down at an election rally in July

  • The alliances he forged to respond to China's growing power came alongside big and unpopular changes to Japan’s pacifist constitution

  • Some 20,000 police officers were reportedly deployed - police admitted to flaws in the protection provided to Abe in July

Live Reporting

Reporting by Yvette Tan and Frances Mao

  1. Tokyo today: A city divided

    Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
    Tokyo Correspondent

    Outside the arena where Abe’s funeral is being held, thousands of people have been lining up this morning to lay flowers and pay their respects.

    A few kilometres away, thousands more are gathering to express their outrage that Abe is getting the very rare honour of a state funeral.

    A massive security cordon has been thrown around the Budokan arena – as dozens of VIP and dignitaries in long motorcades arrive for the ceremony.

    It is a testament to the stature Abe had among Japan’s allies that so many of them have made the pilgrimage to Tokyo.

    But the story is very different here at home, with around 60% of people now saying they do not support the state funeral. Many are angered that the government is spending around $12m of tax payers money on the event, without even gaining the approval of parliament.

  2. Mourners queue to lay flowers for Abe

    A stream of people have come to pay their respects to Abe this morning. A sectioned area has been set up near the Budokan funeral hall venue for members of the public to leave flowers and tributes.

    Once they get to the front of the queue, mourners have a few seconds.

    Many bow their heads and pray to the picture of Abe, before approaching the altar and putting their flowers on the table.

    There are so many mourners the table keeps being cleared of flowers every 10 minutes or so by nearby officials.

    Here are some pictures so far of the mourning crowds:

    A queue of mourners outside the funeral venue holding flowers and other tributesEPA

    People gathered early in the morning to leave flowers for Mr Abe

    People stand in front of a tribute site with Mr Abe's photo on itEPA

    People have to go through metal detectors and have their bags checked first to be able to access the areas.

    A woman dressed in black and wearing a veil prays at an altar for Mr AbeEPA

    A woman dressed in black and wearing a veil prays at an altar for Abe

  3. World leaders gather to pay tribute to Abe

    More than 700 foreign guests have flown in for the event, including about 50 current or former state leaders.

    Dignitaries include US Vice President Kamala Harris, India’s PM Narendra Modi, Singapore’s PM Lee Hsien Loong, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Indonesia Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, and European Council President Charles Michel.

    Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office has been tweeting pictures of his meetings from yesterday and this morning.

    He is due to meet over 40 state leaders today.

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  4. Heavy security around funeral site

    Mariko Oi
    In Tokyo

    Police officers set up fences at the entrance gate toward Nippon Budokan Hall which will host a state funeralReuters

    Police set up fencing outside the Nippon Budokan hall where Mr Abe's funeral will be held later today

    The surrounding streets of Budokan where the state funeral will take place have been closed since early this morning and we have spotted many police officers - some of whom came from other parts of Japan.

    The level of security reminds me of the Emperor’s enthronement in October 2019 when royals from around the world were here to attend the parade - even though it was eventually cancelled to pay respect to those who were suffering from a natural disaster at the time.

    One of the reasons for tight security is the many protests that have been taking place throughout the week.

    More are planned for today, with demonstrators citing the legitimacy of holding this as a state funeral, which is usually reserved for Imperial Family members.

    Others are questioning the cost, saying that the money would be better spent helping those affected by a typhoon in Shizuoka.

    Parents with young children have also sent me tweets with their concerns, complaining that schools in the area have been closed early, forcing working mothers and fathers to take the day off work.

    A protester holds a sign reading 'No State Funeral' outside the funeral venue this morningEPA

    A protester outside the funeral venue this morning

  5. How the funeral will run

    About 4,300 guests will attend the funeral, to be held at the Nippon Budokan - a famous sports and concert arena in central Tokyo.

    The ceremony will begin at 14:00 local time (05:00 GMT), but members of the public will be invited to lay flowers and other tributes at designated stands outside from 10:00.

    Up to 1,000 soldiers will perform ceremonial duties at the ceremony. A military honour guard will fire 19 blank rounds from a cannon to salute Abe.

    A police officer is seen in front of the Nippon Budokan on September 26, 2022 in TokyoGetty Images

  6. What happened to Shinzo Abe?

    shinzo abeget

    The former prime minister was assassinated on 8 July 2022 while giving a stump speech for his party at a campaign rally in the city of Nara in Japan’s west.

    Abe was shot from close range by a man with a homemade gun - who said afterwards he had targeted Abe for his promotion of and connections to a controversial church.

    The killing shocked the world because political violence and violent crime in general is rare in Japan. Politicians often travel around with light security but authorities acknowleded that “undeniable” security flaws contributed to the assassination.

  7. Welcome to our live coverage

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the state funeral of Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

    Leaders around the world are this morning gathering in Tokyo to bid goodbye to Japan's longest serving prime minister, who was gunned down at an election rally in July.

    Security is expected to be exceptionally tight - around 20,000 officers are reportedly being deployed - and it comes after police admitted to flaws in the protection provided to Abe in July.

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest news updates from Tokyo across the day.