Arab News Japan

TOKYO: A group of activists and lawyers have filed a civil lawsuit at Tokyo District Court against the holding of a state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The 231 Japanese are challenging the decision of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Liberal Democratic Party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi to hold a state funeral for Abe on September 27.

Following the assassination of Abe in July by a man with a grudge against Abe and the Unification Church, it was revealed that the Church and members of Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party had close ties.

Opponents say that Abe has a tainted legacy and cite the many scandals that plagued his tenure, such as the Moritomo Scandal, Kake Gakuen and Sakura Mirukai.

The plaintiffs and their lawyers highlighted these scandals and also mentioned the ties of Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi to the Unification Church. Kishi is Abe’s brother.

The 231 plaintiffs want 200 million yen in compensation for the decision to hold a state funeral.