Funeral for former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe held in Tokyo
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Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's funeral begins today in Tokyo, just days after he was gunned down.
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Abe was Japan’s longest-serving PM (Bloomberg)
As mourners outside condemned the leader's murder, family and friends of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gathered at a Tokyo temple Tuesday for a private funeral.
Abe was shot at close range while giving a campaign speech in Nara on Friday, just days before upper house elections in which his ruling party strengthened its grip on power.
Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, the murder suspect, is in custody and has told police that he targeted Abe because he believed the politician was affiliated with an organization he despised.
Despite the fact that the funeral rites were restricted to family members and close associates, long lines of people, some dressed in black, gathered at the Zojoji temple to pay their respects to Japan's longest-serving prime minister.
It is worth noting that public memorials are expected to be held at a later date, with top foreign political leaders expected to attend, but no specifics have been announced.
Abe's assassination sparked shock and outrage in Japan and around the world, as well as an outpouring of condolence messages.
Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said, on Tuesday, that 259 countries, territories, and international organizations had sent condolence messages.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a previously unscheduled visit to Tokyo on Monday to pay tribute to Abe, describing him as a "man of vision."
Read more: Blinken touring Asia to "contain China" following G20
