Mumbai, India (CU)_ On September 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Japan to pay his last respects to the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his state funeral. The popular Japanese leader was assassinated in July. Abe, the longest-serving prime minister of Japan, was assassinated while making his campaign speech in western Japan on July 8 prior to the July 10 House of Councilors election.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM Modi will fly to Japan on September 27 to pay his last respects to the Japanese premier in the state funeral. During his visit, he will also meet personally with the current Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Abe and Modi shared a great friendship. He expressed his condolences on the passing of his dear friend Abe and stated that the former Japanese prime minister devoted his life for the betterment of the world.
According to sources, around 6,400 people, including leaders from many nations, are anticipated to attend the state burial at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. According to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, prominent dignitaries such as US Vice President Kamala Harris, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and other world leaders will be in attendance. Kirsten Allen, the spokesman for the US Vice President, announced that Harris will travel to Tokyo to lead the delegation during Abe’s state burial on behalf of President Joe Biden. The Japanese government also stated that Abe will be honored with a massive state funeral since he was the longest-serving Prime Minister and the country’s most popular leader on both the local and international levels.
It is noteworthy that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late Japanese leader Abe were close friends. Following Abe’s assasination on July 8, Prime Minister Modi was horrified and heartbroken beyond words. Additionally, he described Abe as an excellent leader and extraordinary administrator who strived to improve Japan and the rest of the world. PM Modi also praised his role in improving India-Japan ties to the level of a “Special Strategic and Global Partnership.” Prime Minister Modi paid respect to the Japanese leader and recalled his inaugural meeting with Abe in 2007, when he was Gujarat’s chief minister and paid a visit to Tokyo.
