Iran Press/ Asia: Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister who remained a dominant presence in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) was gunned down on Friday while delivering a speech supporting a local candidate in the western city of Nara.
A Cabinet decision regarding the expenses for the state funeral is set to be issued as early as Aug. 26.
The funeral for Abe will be held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, and about 6,400 people are expected to attend. It has been decided that public funds will cover the entire cost of the state funeral, such as setting up the venue, disinfection and other COVID-19 countermeasures, and expenses for flower offerings.
For the funeral for former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, which was held jointly by the Cabinet and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in October 2020, the bill of about 200 million yen (approx. $1.5 million) was split between the central government and the LDP.
Although the government explained to the opposition parties that it was using Nakasone's case as a benchmark in considering the costs for Abe's state funeral, it is estimated that the costs will increase due to factors including the current rise in prices and the significantly higher number of funeral attendants to be invited, compared to Nakasone's funeral, which envisioned an attendance of around 1,500 people.
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