TOKYO: The Japanese government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are considering conducting a large-scale funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this autumn with the participation of condolers including delegations from overseas, according to informed sources.

The discussions began after a funeral for Abe was held Tuesday by his relatives and other people close to him. He was shot to death on Friday on a campaign trail ahead of Sunday’s House of Councillors election.

Taking into account the length of time he served as the country’s leader, totaling eight years and eight months, the longest in Japan’s history of constitutional government, there are calls from within the LDP for conducting a state funeral for Abe.

“The former prime minister accomplished great achievements,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s top government spokesman, told a news conference on Tuesday. “We should consider our responses as we pay respect to him.”

“Nothing has been decided at this time. We will discuss the funeral arrangements in light of past cases and the wishes of the bereaved,” Matsuno said.

 In Japan’s postwar history, the government was involved in some former prime ministers’ funerals. But a state funeral for a former prime minister has been held only once, for Shigeru Yoshida, who signed the San Francisco peace treaty.

The funeral for former Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira, who died in 1980, was conducted jointly by the cabinet and the LDP. Since then, the funerals of former prime ministers have been taking this form with some exceptions.

Still, conservative members of the LDP are calling for a state funeral for Abe, in view of his achievements and the unprecedented case of being gunned down while delivering a stump speech.

Hakubun Shimomura, former policy chief of the LDP, stressed in a television program on Monday, “Mr. Abe made historical achievements that deserve a state funeral.”

Opinions about Abe’s funeral are divided on the internet. “A decision will be made with due considerations to public sentiment,” a government official noted, adding that related discussions should be conducted after the situation calms down to a certain extent.

In order to avoid stirring any controversy, the funeral is expected to be eventually held jointly by the cabinet and the LDP, a source familiar with the situation said.

JIJI Press