The official funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who passed away in July after being shot at a political rally in the southern Japanese city of Nara, will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Over 20 heads of state and government will be among the more than 100 representatives from around the world who will be present for Abe’s funeral in the Budokan, a venue for indoor athletics.
Additionally, PM Modi and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida will have a bilateral meeting.
Abe was assassinated three months ago while giving a lecture in Nara. India proclaimed a day of national mourning in honour of Abe on July 9.
PM Modi tweeted a few hours prior to departing for Tokyo, “I am travelling to Tokyo tonight to participate in the State Funeral of former PM Shinzo Abe, a good friend and a great promoter of India-Japan friendship.
“On behalf of all Indians, I shall send Prime Minister Kishida and Mrs. Abe our deepest sympathies. As envisioned by Abe San, we will continue to seek to further solidify India-Japan relations. “
The state funeral will take place in Budokan, and Prime Minister Modi will attend it; followed by meeting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Abe’s wife Akie in Akasaka Palace.
Abe articulated his vision for India-Japan strategic cooperation in a historic speech to the Indian Parliament in August 2007 with a view to fostering the development of Asia and working together to address geopolitical issues.
He had stated to Indian parliamentarians in the “Confluence of Two Seas” speech that India-Japan relations are gifted with the greatest potential for the growth of bilateral relations anywhere in the globe.
In conversations and discussions over a decade ago, beginning with Narendra Modi’s trip to Japan in 2007 as Gujarat’s chief minister, Modi and Abe developed a personal bond.
