Arab News Japan

TOYYO: Several hundred Japanese gathered in the busy Shinjuku district of Tokyo to protest against the state funeral of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, who was assassinated in July.

The Kishida government has decided to hold a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe on September 27, with Kishida noting Abe’s achievements and “defense of democracy.”

The demonstrators were protesting against the links between Abe and other politicians and the cult known as the Unification Church, as well as the decision to hold a state funeral. They said the funeral was unconstitutional, particularly if there will be any religious elements included in it.

In a statement, they said: “Opinion polls show that the majority of Japanese are opposed to a state funeral, and in this respect, a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe is incompatible with democracy.”