TOKYO: Japan’s transport ministry said Thursday it will restrict flights within a radius of 46 kilometers of the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward for three days from Sept. 26 in line with the Sept. 27 state funeral for former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo.

Regular flights to and from airports including Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and aircraft to be used for security purposes will not be subject to the measure, according to the ministry.

The restrictions were requested by the National Police Agency as part of antiterrorism measures related to the state funeral for Abe, who was shot while delivering an election campaign speech in the western Japan city of Nara on July 8. He was confirmed dead later that day.

Similar flight restrictions were set for the opening and closing ceremonies of last year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and the “Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi” ceremony in 2019 to proclaim the enthronement of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito.

JIJI Press