Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japanese Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa on Friday said that many dignitaries will attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo and it will be a great opportunity to establish his legacy.

Hayashi said that heads of states and senior officials from many countries, including Arab countries, are planning to attend the funeral. These include Vice President Kamala Harris of the United States, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Hun Sen of Cambodia.

Diplomatic sources told Arab News Japan that Arab dignitaries attending the funeral will include at least two heads of state and three ministers.

“We believe there will be many foreign dignitaries at Prime Minister Abe’s funeral,” Hayashi said, indicating that “funeral diplomacy” would take place. “From the previous day to the day after the funeral, we anticipate holding bilateral or even trilateral discussions with world leaders and those at the foreign minister level.”

“We want to make sure we make a success of the diplomatic legacy left behind by Prime Minister Abe.”

The date of the funeral is expected to be September 27.

Abe was assassinated while on the election campaign trail in Nara in July.