Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A long line of Japanese people visited the headquarters of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on Friday to pay their last respects to former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, who was assassinated on July 8 in Nara.

Japanese of all ages came to pay their respects, many with bouquets of flowers and some in somber dark clothes. Among the people who came to gather, several wiped away tears as they saluted the memory of Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister. 

The visitors signed a condolence book before proceeding toaltars bearing portraits of the popular politician and statesman.

The public tribute ended at 5 p.m., but citizens continued to lay flowers outside the Liberal Democratic Party building.

The intense atmosphere was heightened by a squadron of helicopters flying overhead as news organizations recorded every detail of the events and followed the funeral procession through Tokyo.

Abe was killed by a former member of Japan’s military who blamed him for helping the Unification Church, to which his mother reportedly donated around $1 million leaving the family bankrupt.