Why Is Shinzo Abe's State Funeral Controversial? - Fuels Backlash In Japan

On September 27, 2018, Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving prime minister in Japan’s modern history, will be laid to rest at a state funeral. The Japanese government, meanwhile, has been under fire for what is expected to be an expensive ceremony.

Several reports claim that Shinzo Abe’s state funeral could cost more than Queen Elizabeth II’s.

He was shot and killed on the eve of the election for a parliamentary election on July 8. However, the cabinet has determined that a state funeral will take place on September 27 at the Nippon Budokan in downtown Tokyo.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faces near-constant political repercussions for his management of the church ties of his party’s lawmakers and the state funeral he believes Abe deserves. Examining some of the causes for the outrage surrounding Tuesday’s state funeral:

In Japan, Who Is Eligible for a State Funeral?

The origins of the practice can be traced back to a ceremony performed by the emperor to honor persons who made outstanding achievements to the nation. Before World War II, the emperor was worshipped as a deity, and public mourning was required for those honored with state funerals.

The majority of state funerals were reserved for members of the royal family, although political and military leaders, such as Isoroku Yamamoto, who oversaw the attack on Pearl Harbour and died in 1943, were also honored. After the war, the funeral law was abolished.

Since then, Japan’s only other state funeral for a political leader was held in 1967 for Shigeru Yoshida, who signed the San Francisco Treaty that ended the United States occupation of Japan and restored relations with the Allies.

In response to complaints that the Yoshida funeral was organized without a legal basis, succeeding governments have toned back such ceremonies. According to Junichi Miyama, a historian at Chuo University, “A state funeral undermines the spirit of democracy.”

What Is the Reason for Abe’s State Funeral?

Since Abe was the longest-serving leader in Japan’s modern political history, and since his diplomatic, security and economic policies helped raise Japan’s worldwide prominence, Kishida believes he is entitled to a state funeral. In light of Abe’s assassination during an election campaign, Kishida asserts that Japan must demonstrate its commitment to never tolerate “violence against democracy.”

Political observers think Kishida is attempting to win over ruling Liberal Democratic Party MPs from Abe’s conservative party to strengthen his position.

Sophia University professor Koichi Nakano said the burial is a ploy to sanitize Abe’s legacy and bury Unification Church problems. The church is accused of unethical recruitment and business techniques but denies them.

What Is the Disagreement About?

The lack of a definitive legal basis and the fact that the Kishida Cabinet chose to hold the burial on their own have led some to label the event as undemocratic.

Opponents of Abe recall his efforts to hide Japan’s wartime horrors, his desire for more military spending, his regressive view of gender roles, and a government viewed as dictatorial and crony-friendly.

As more information concerning Abe’s and LDP lawmakers’ ties to the Unification Church has revealed, the number of funeral protests has increased. Due to mutual interests in conservative causes, the church in South Korea has forged tight ties with LDP lawmakers.

According to reports, Abe’s assassin was incensed at the ties between Abe, his party, and the church, claiming that his mother had left all the family’s money to the church. Abe’s grandfather, former leader Nobusuke Kishi, was responsible for establishing the church in Japan, making him a prime suspect in the controversy.

Some others feel that by having a state burial for Abe, the government is indirectly supporting the Liberal Democratic Party’s ties to the Unification Church.

It was reported on Monday that a group of lawyers who had sued to stop the burial had lost their case. And an elderly man protested the state funeral by setting himself on fire outside the prime minister’s office.

What’s The Cost?

The government estimates that the total cost of the event will be 1.7 billion yen ($11.8 million), including the cost of the venue, security, transportation, and guest accommodations.

Opponents argue that the government should utilize the tax revenue it collects for more worthwhile purposes, such as narrowing the economic gap that they think Abe’s policies have caused.

What Will Occur During the Funeral?

Security has been increased after Abe’s assassination, and mourners are encouraged to arrive at the Budokan martial arts arena downtown several hours before the funeral begins to allow time for inspection.

Inside, only authorized members of the media are permitted to use computers and cameras, and no outside food or drink is permitted. About 1,000 Japanese forces will line the streets surrounding the location. At the outset, there will be a 19-volley salute, as in Yoshida’s funeral.

After representatives from the government, parliament, and the judiciary — among them, Kishida — Akie Abe, the former prime minister’s wife, will make condolence speeches.

According to the government, the burial is not intended to compel anyone to honor Abe. However, the majority of the nation’s 47 prefectural governments will fly the flag at half-mast and observe a moment of quiet, which may place a strain on public schools.

Residents and businesses around the venue may be affected by traffic restrictions and security checkpoints, and some neighboring schools will cancel classes. Opponents will organize rallies across the nation.

Who Will Attend Shinzo Abe’s Funeral?

The leaders of the United States, Australia, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore will all be there, as will US Vice President Kamala Harris. Kishida states that the event will offer him the opportunity to engage in “funeral diplomacy.”

The government announced last week that 4,300 guests, including foreign dignitaries, Japanese politicians, local leaders, and representatives from the commercial, cultural, and other sectors, will attend, fewer than the 6,000 who were invited.

The funeral is being boycotted by several members of the opposition, including the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party.