News Abe's controversial state funeral

[thomas]

I decided to open a new thread on the topic, as the coming weeks will bring more discussion and protests.

Yesterday, 4,000 people gathered around the Diet building in Tokyo and - wow - some local media reported it.

​

One of the protesters, a 70-year-old homemaker who lives in Yokohama, told The Asahi Shimbun, "Prime Minister (Fumio) Kishida acted in a high-handed manner by suddenly coming up with the idea of holding a state funeral without any discussions, and then trying to force it through with just the approval of his Cabinet." She also criticized Kishida's announcement on 31 August that he plans to provide an explanation about the state funeral at a Diet session. "He felt like giving an explanation only after criticism became widespread," she said. "He is too inconsistent." A 17-year-old second-year high school student living in Nagareyama, Chiba Prefecture, found out through Twitter about the plan for the rally. It was the first time he took part in a protest. "I'm not convinced that as much as 250 million yen ($1.8 million) has to be spent on the state funeral when students are having a hard time amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he said. "Hashtags to show opposition to the state funeral are being shared on social media. I want Kishida to reconsider (the plan) and not ignore the (people's voices)."

It's great to see young and old united in their criticism. Their arguments - inconsistent policies, waste of taxes in the light of the pandemic - will be particularly hard to refute (see below).

Thousands rally in Tokyo to protest state funeral for Abe | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Meanwhile, PM Kishida pledged to 'squarely' respond to state funeral criticism. Let's see if he can square the circle.

Kishida pledges to ‘squarely’ respond to Abe funeral criticism | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Lothor]

The protest was also briefly shown on the national NHK news, much to my surprise.

My view is that state funerals for divisive people shouldn't be held because they don't represent the views of the majority of the state. Also, although Abe was in power for a long time for a Japanese PM, which made him a highly familiar figure to Japanese people, it's difficult to pinpoint any other achievements apart from longevity (in power if not in life) when his legacy is examined in any detail. For example, despite his famed three arrows, this graph nicely shows what happened to Japan's growth rate under Abe - it hovered around zero as it has done since the end of the bubble.

 

[thomas]

I agree. And let's face it: whenever things got tough, he just bailed out. This happened in both his tenures. I felt sorry for former PM Suga, who had to take over the unfortunate Olympic agenda.

I am afraid Kishida has painted himself into a corner: a cancellation would be a significant loss of face while holding the state funeral will be detrimental to the LDP.

 

[Lothor]

I agree. And let's face it: whenever things got tough, he just bailed out. This happened in both his tenures. I felt sorry for former PM Suga, who had to take over the unfortunate Olympic agenda.

I am afraid Kishida has painted himself into a corner: a cancellation would be a significant loss of face while holding the state funeral will be detrimental to the LDP.

I don't feel THAT sorry for Suga - he worked for many years as Abe's enforcer!

 

[thomas]

I don't feel THAT sorry for Suga - he worked for many years as Abe's enforcer!

Agreed, but looking back at his tenure, Suga seemed the lesser evil. It feels like looking at the G.W. Bush administration after Tramp's infantocracy. 😬

Suga's stern and rigid comportment completely changed when he became PM: he was under heavy flak from day one, steadily losing ground. My wife misses his teary-eyed press conferences.

 

[thomas]

When you think things can't get worse...

Today, chief Cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno declared that no special treatment was given to Murayama Inc., the successful bidder of Abe's funeral. Murayama Inc. has been involved in several controversial government-sponsored events, like Abe's infamous sakura party, and was the only bidder. Also, it has been reported that company representatives met with the Cabinet Office before bidding.

How long will the Japanese electorate and taxpayers tolerate such scandals? Remember Abenomask.

urayama won bids to organize cherry blossom viewing parties for five straight years from 2015, according to government information. From 2017 to 2019, the company is believed to have held talks with the Cabinet Office before tendering a bid. The firm made a successful bid of 176 million ($1.25 million) for organizing the state funeral of Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister. Abe, who died at 67, served as prime minister for around one year from 2006 and again from 2012 to 2020. The government, meanwhile, has allocated 249 million yen of taxpayers' money for the state funeral, excluding expenditures for security and welcoming foreign dignitaries.

No special treatment given to successful bidder of Abe funeral: gov't

No preferential treatment was given to the Japanese company that won the bid to put on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral, the chief Cabinet secretary said on Sept. 5.

english.kyodonews.net

No preferential treatment given over bid for Abe state funeral: Matsuno

Preferential treatment was not given to the Japanese company that won the bid to put on former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral later this month, the chief cabinet secretary said Monday. Tokyo-based event organizer Murayama Inc, which has been involved in some controversial...

japantoday.com

 

[Majestic]

The government sure made a bollocks of this funeral. I guess the government misjudged the public sentiment over Abe? Because of the tragic way he died, they assumed the public would want a lavish, public c. But, as tragic and shocking as his death was, there is a very vocal percentage of the population who doesn't want any part of this display. And now its cocked up even more because of bid-rigging allegations.

Its like what would happen if you asked the International Olympic Committee to organize a state funeral.

 

[thomas]

Reuters and Kyodo have just reported that the government allocated 1.4 billion JPY for the state funeral to cover security costs and welcome foreign dignitaries.

Cost of Abe's state funeral to total over 1.6 bil. yen: Japan

The government said on Sept. 6 it will allocate an additional 1.4 billion yen ($9.97 million) for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to cover costs for security and the welcoming of foreign dignitaries.

english.kyodonews.net

Japan ex-PM Abe's state funeral to cost over $12 million

Japan’s state funeral for Shinzo Abe to cost more than £10m

Public opposition to ceremony grows over cost to taxpayer and ex-PM’s ties to Unification church

www.theguardian.com

 

[Lothor]

Reuters and Kyodo have just reported that the government allocated 1.4 billion JPY for the state funeral to cover security costs and welcome foreign dignitaries.

Cost of Abe's state funeral to total over 1.6 bil. yen: Japan

The government said on Sept. 6 it will allocate an additional 1.4 billion yen ($9.97 million) for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to cover costs for security and the welcoming of foreign dignitaries.

english.kyodonews.net

Japan ex-PM Abe's state funeral to cost over $12 million

So the cost of the funeral will be over six times the original quote.
They're taking the piss.

 

[mdchachi]

Not too late to convert it to a virtual event. Lay him out, set up a camera, live stream and add a condolences blog. I can help for USD $1 million.

 

[thomas]

Today, PM Kishida defended Mr Abe's state funeral, stating it was "appropriate" given the former's "achievements. He did not mention which achievements he was referring to apart from being the longest-serving PM. "I humbly accept the criticism that my explanation was insufficient," Kishida told members of parliament in response to questions about the issue.

Kishida defends state funeral for Abe as 'appropriate' during parliamentary debate

Some opposition parties have criticized Abe's nationalistic views, with the Japanese Communist Party saying it will boycott the state funeral, claiming it is unconstitutional.

www.japantimes.co.jp

Honestly, there is nothing to explain except why there was no public debate before the decision to hold a state funeral and why the taxpayers, most of whom oppose the funeral, have to foot the bill!

Interestingly, Japan faced a similar situation in 1975, when the state funeral of PM Eisaku Sato, the longest-serving PM until then and a Nobel Peace Prize winner no less, was cancelled for legal concerns.

But the government decided against the state funeral because there was no legal basis to justify holding such an event, Sadao Hirano, a former lawmaker familiar with the matter, told The Asahi Shimbun. According to Hirano, Ichiro Yoshikuni, chief of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau, the watchdog of laws, warned Takeo Miki, the prime minister at the time, not to hold the state funeral for Sato. Yoshikuni explained to Miki that Japan has no legal provisions to justify holding a state funeral and that performing one would require approval from the legislative, administrative and judicial branches of government, Hirano said. As a result, the Miki administration abandoned the idea for Sato's state funeral.

Such concerns do not seem relevant in 2022, despite the lack of actual achievements.

Lack of legal basis halted state funeral for Sato in 1975. But now? | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[thomas]

I was hoping that Queen Elizabeth's (legitimate) state funeral would rain on Kishida's parade, but obviously, it doesn't. Contrary to conventions, he named the list of foreign dignitaries who would attend.

Those handling security arrangements for the foreign dignitaries planning to attend initially wanted to release the names only about three days before the event. But at one of the committee meetings, Kishida named some of the leaders who plan to come: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and European Council President Charles Michel. Kishida said he plans to hold meetings with as many foreign leaders as he can to demonstrate to the world his resolve to "carry on and develop the diplomatic legacy fostered by former Prime Minister Abe."

Kishida names world leaders attending Abe’s state funeral | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Lothor]

I was hoping that Queen Elizabeth's (legitimate) state funeral would rain on Kishida's parade, but obviously, it doesn't. Contrary to conventions, he named the list of foreign dignitaries who would attend.

Kishida names world leaders attending Abe’s state funeral | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Nevertheless, I'm sure plenty of Japanese people will be noting the contrast between a state funeral for someone with 70 years of exemplary service and one for a person whose tenure was associated with mediocrity, authoritarianism, and corruption.

 

[thomas]

A one-hour street survey in Okayama felt the pulse of the Japanese population on the issue of Abe's state funeral. A citizens' group carried out the poll asking pedestrians in the city of Okayama's Kita Ward to put stickers on a board under the sections of either "support," "oppose", or "neither" as part of the group's nationwide activities amid a divide in public opinion. After about one hour, those opposed to the funeral had gathered the greatest number of 55 stickers, while "support" stood at 33 and "neither" at 14.

It's interesting to see someone in their 20s defending Abe and a 60-year-old salaryman pointing out Abe's corruption and the democratic deficiencies of Kishida's hasty decision.

A vocational school student in his 20s expressed complete support for Abe's state funeral, saying, "He was a figure who was at the helm of Japan's government for a long time, and I think without him, the Japanese people would have been facing difficulties now. To be honest, I don't know why anyone would express disapproval."

Meanwhile, an office worker in his 60s who was against the state funeral said, "He had many murky issues, including (the cronyism scandals involving) school operators Moritomo Gakuen and Kake Educational Institution. The decision should not be made by the Cabinet and should undergo public debate, and if Prime Minister Fumio Kishida says that he will not force people to offer condolences to Abe, then it should be completely unnecessary to hold a state funeral as well."

Majority in west Japan against holding state funeral for ex-PM Abe: street survey - The Mainichi

OKAYAMA -- The majority of people expressed their disapproval over holding a state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while around one-thir

mainichi.jp

 

[thomas]

That's what I call guts: the municipality of Kamakura has adopted by majority vote a written opinion demanding the cancellation of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral.

The written opinion, which was passed on Sept. 12, will soon be mailed, addressed to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the House of Councillors. According to the secretariats of the upper and lower houses, the Hayama Municipal Assembly, also in Kanagawa Prefecture, has also mailed a written opinion opposing the state funeral. The Kamakura assembly's document points out, "It runs the risk of forcing the national government's evaluation of Abe upon the Japanese people, and suppressing their freedom to make their own decisions. We must not hold a state funeral that would divide the people."

Japan city assembly passes written opinion urging cancellation of ex-PM Abe's state funeral - The Mainichi

KAMAKURA, Kanagawa -- The Kamakura Municipal Assembly in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, adopted by majority vote a written opinion demanding the

mainichi.jp

Also, in Kanagawa, the mayor of Yokosuka single-handedly decided to fly flags at half-staff at municipal facilities, including city hall and administration centres, on 27 September.

However, the municipal government will not force its employees to observe a moment of silence, out of respect for their individual intentions, and did not request its education board to fly flags at half-staff. Yokosuka and other municipalities in Kanagawa Prefecture set up places for people to sign books of condolences in mid-July after Abe was shot dead on July 8. The Yokosuka Municipal Government received mixed reviews over such a move at a public site.

Japan city to fly flags at half-staff on day of state funeral for ex-PM Abe - The Mainichi

YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa -- The government of this eastern Japan city decided on Sept. 2 to fly flags at half-staff at municipal facilities including city h

mainichi.jp

 

[Petaris]

During my recent trip I actually walked by, on several occasions, the spot that he was shot. It was right next to Nara Family department store which we went to a few times.

I am glad to see the populous is pushing back and not just accepting this from the National government.

 

[thomas]

More subversion: the governors of Okinawa, Shizuoka, and Nagano decided not to attend the funeral.

安倍氏国葬、出席表明相次ぐ　欠席は沖縄、静岡―各知事：時事ドットコム

今月２７日の安倍晋三元首相の国葬について、各地の知事からは「都道府県の代表」として出席の意向を表明する動きが相次いでいる。多くの自治体では国葬当日、庁舎で半旗を掲げる予定。一方、沖縄県の玉城デニー知事は「喪に服することを半強制的な形で行うことに対する世論が非常に厳しい」などと出席しない考えを表明。静岡県の川勝平太知事も１３日、欠席のコメントを発表した。

www.jiji.com

Governors of Okinawa, Shizuoka and Nagano to skip Abe's state funeral

The public has been divided over the state funeral, for which the government estimates it will spend about ¥1.66 billion.

www.japantimes.co.jp

PM Kishida has manoeuvred himself into a corner: unable to convince the public of the necessity of the state funeral, his approval rates keep tumbling.

One high-ranking official in the prime minister's office said, "The state funeral is linked with the Unification Church issue so there is nothing more the government can do." An executive with Komeito, the junior coalition partner, said, "There are absolutely no factors that could contribute to increasing the approval rating. All the things (Prime Minister Kishida) thought might help have backfired." An LDP executive said, "It will become serious if the rating continues to fall, so we will have to find some way to turn it around." Coalition officials were also saying the Kishida administration was not adequately sharing information about what it planned to do.

It seems that Kishida's replacement is a topic discussed behind closed doors. However:

And the LDP faction led by Abe remains rudderless, so there is no obvious movement within the party to seek a replacement for Kishida.

Kishida’s words fail to convince; public approval rating plummets | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Petaris]

I was going to say, it seems like a resignation because of "health issues" might be coming soon.

 

[thomas]

Due to the queen's state funeral, this news did not get the coverage it deserved: yesterday, 13,000 people demonstrated against Abe's state funeral, which is quite astonishing for Japan on a rainy Typhoon day, to boot!

According to the organizers, around 13,000 people gathered at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward despite the heavy rain and wind from Typhoon No. 14. Demonstrators at the rally raised placards and banners that read, "No State Funeral." The protesters then marched in two courses through the streets around the park. The rally was organized by a group called "Senso Sasenai, 9-jo Kowasuna! Sogakari Kodo Jikko Iinkai" (We will not let war occur. Don't destroy Article 9! The committee for all-out actions) and "Sayonara Genpatsu 10,000,000 Nin Action Jikko Iinkai" (The executive committee for 10 million people's action to say goodbye to nuclear power plants). Lawmakers from opposition parties, including the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party, as well as writer Keiko Ochiai, joined the calls for the cancellation of Abe's state funeral.

13,000 people brave typhoon to protest state funeral for Abe | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Lothor]

Not a very catchy name for a protest group! Still, very heartening news. If you hear of any other events, can you post them?

 

[thomas]

Not a very catchy name for a protest group! Still, very heartening news. If you hear of any other events, can you post them?

Unfortunately, I always find out the next day in the media. Change.org provides a lot of exciting info once you have signed one of their petitions. A new campaign questions the Japanese media's role and integrity: most of them have criticised the funeral but will still cover the event and send their top execs.

Sign the Petition

【緊急署名】#マスコミ各社に国葬出席の説明を求めます

www.change.org

 

[thomas]

Today, in the early morning, a man in his 70s set himself on fire near the prime minister's office in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward to protest the planned state funeral for former PM Abe. He survived with severe burns on his entire body.

He suffered burns over his entire body but remains conscious and in stable condition at a hospital, they said. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, a pedestrian reported a "man in flames" on a street near the prime minister's office in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward around 6:50 a.m. on Sept. 21. The Tokyo Fire Department said a police officer who was trying to extinguish the fire suffered a burn on the right arm. At the scene, police found a handwritten letter that said, "As an individual, I vehemently oppose the state funeral." According to the Kojimachi Police Station and other sources, the man told investigators, "I poured fuel all over me and set myself on fire." The planned state funeral for Sept. 27 at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo has come under increasing public criticism.

Man sets himself on fire in protest against state funeral for Abe | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

 

[Lothor]

They've not reported it yet on the NHK local news yet, although there has been plenty of speculation on the weather during the coming long weekend!

 

[cloa513]

Nevertheless, I'm sure plenty of Japanese people will be noting the contrast between a state funeral for someone with 70 years of exemplary service and one for a person whose tenure was associated with mediocrity, authoritarianism, and corruption.

Where is this exemplary service- where she awarded the Royal Family millions of dollars and wrote provisions into legislation to ensure everything benefits the Royal Family and the tyrannical control of the family. The main people who care about her passing are the media as they are losing an easy show.

 

[thomas]

Number of state-funeral-related self-immolations:

Abe (1) : Queen (0)

Clearly, Abe's the winner. His score would probably be higher if we compared them based on corruption or divisiveness.

Anyhow, one LDP member, Murakami Seiichiro, a former Cabinet member and Abe critic, came forward and chastised his fellow LDP lawmakers for remaining silent on the issue.

"It's not clear whether Mr. Abe's achievements are deserving of a state funeral. Since more than half of the public oppose it, forcing the event will further divide the nation," Murakami said. He added, "It is disturbing that no LDP members are speaking out on this matter." Prime Minister Fumio Kishida decided to go ahead with the state funeral, citing Abe's longevity as Japan's leader and his achievements in diplomacy and economics. Criticism within the party against the state funeral could result in a backlash from Kishida and the faction previously led by Abe, the largest in the LDP. Murakami, however, has long been known as a harsh critic of Abe. "Some people see Mr. Abe as a leader who battered Japan's finances and diplomacy and destroyed its bureaucracy," Murakami told reporters on Sept. 20. "He should bear a heavy responsibility for that."

In rare move, LDP lawmaker criticizes state funeral for Abe | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

I assume he's got nothing to lose politically, but it shows that there's simmering dissent even within LDP ranks.