Three months after the tragic death of its former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan on Tuesday held a state funeral for him. So lavish and pompous was the ceremony that it cost the Japanese government 1.66 billion yen ($11.9 million), which according to reports, is more than what it cost for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth.
While the original cost of the state funeral is only 250 million yen, the additional 800 million yen went towards arranging security for the world leaders and prominent figures who flew down to Tokyo to pay respects to Abe. Another 600 million yen was allocated towards hosting these leaders, who included Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US vice-president Kamala Harris.
'Forced to mourn'
Interestingly, the majority of the Japanese aren't thrilled. They feel the money could have been directed towards bigger causes, like salvaging their faltering economy. The extent of public opposition to the state funeral is such that 56 per cent of people said they were against it. The poll, conducted by prominent Japanese media house Yomiuri Shimbun, revealed that only a meagre 38 per cent supported it.
The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDPJ) too voiced its protest, before informing that none of its representatives will attend. "The state funeral is being forcibly held at the Cabinet's own discretion," CDPJ President Kenta Izumi said. "It is no wonder that many people feel uncomfortable, doubtful and opposed."
Another prominent leader, Kazuo Shii of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP), took to Twitter to voice his ire, saying he found himself unable to pay his respects to Abe because he felt he was being "forced" to do so by the government's decision.
As for the dissenting public, they took to the streets Tuesday, gathering in the areas surrounding the Budokan arena, where the ceremony is being held, to express their dissatisfaction. Holding banners protesting against the state funeral, hundreds of Japanese minced no words when they said they believe Abe didn't deserve a state funeral. "The grounds for holding a state funeral should be based on his contribution and policies, not just the length of his time as the prime minister," a protestor told BBC News.
State funerals in Japan
State funerals in Japan are usually reserved for the members of the Imperial family. But, political and military leaders have also been honoured with state funerals, like Yamamoto Isoroku, who commanded Japan’s Pearl Harbor attack and was killed in 1943 when his plane was shot down.
The state funeral law was scrapped post World War -II, and the only political leader who received one since was Yoshida Shigeru in 1967. Shigeru was the one who signed the San Francisco Treaty ending the U.S. occupation of Japan and restoring ties with the Allies. But, even Shigeru's ceremony came with so many controversies that the government decided to scale down such events.
Abe, the unpopular leader
Abe may be the longest-serving prime minister of Japan, but he clearly isn't the most popular one. Though often tagged as instrumental in changing Japan's position in global politics, Abe wasn't very popular in Japan. His critics accuse him of being a warmonger who carried out an autocratic regime. Abe's connections with the controversial Unification Church, a South-Korean religious sect, were dissected just after his murder when the accused blamed the sect for his family’s financial situation. Allegations of the church's extensive ties with Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its abusive nature, including forced donations, came to the fore.
Many who oppose the church now say that a state funeral for Abe is equivalent to endorsing LDP's ties to the Unification Church.
Fumio Kishida's stance
Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said that Abe deserves such an honour for his work. The Prime Minister has always been vocal about Abe's diplomatic, security and economic policies that elevated Japan’s international profile. But, his naysayers think the state funeral is Kishida's tactic to appease the LDP lawmakers from Abe's faction so as to shore up his grip on power.
Kishida's opponents also claim it is undemocratic, citing a lack of a clear legal basis.
Though Kishida says the funeral is not meant to force anyone to honour Abe, much of the country will be affected by the ceremony. While residents and offices near the venue will be affected by traffic controls and security checkpoints, schools are likely to cancel classes.