Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Public opposition to the state funeral of assassinated former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo continues in Japan with hundreds protesting on Saturday at Hibiya Park, a short distance from the famed Ginza district of Tokyo.

“Do not use our tax money to organize the state funeral,” chanted the protesters, who say the state funeral violates four articles of Japan’s Constitution.

The demonstrators were also angry at the revelations that many politicians in Japan had supported the Unification Church. A man who said he lost his family’s fortune to the cult was arrested in connection with Abe’s murder.

The protesters have some support in Japan’s parliament.

IZUMI Kenta, the head of the Constitutional Democratic Party, one of the main opposition forces, announced on Thursday that his party would not participate in the state funeral ceremonies.

A pamphlet distributed by the protesters said that the state funeral on September 27 violates articles in the Constitution related to freedom of thought and the separation of politics and religion.

The protesters are calling for more rallies and demonstrations up to and including the day of the funeral.