"Harris, U.S. Vice President, Coordinating Attendance at Abe's State Funeral"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] According to multiple Japanese government officials cited by the Yomiuri Shimbun on the 14th, the governments of the United States and Japan are coordinating for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to attend the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, scheduled for the 27th of next month.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the U.S. government intends to have the Vice President attend the state funeral instead of President Joe Biden, who has scheduling difficulties, in order to honor the late former Prime Minister's contributions to strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance, including the establishment of security-related legislation, and to reaffirm the importance of bilateral relations.

Additionally, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to meet with Vice President Harris if she visits Japan to attend the state funeral. The newspaper reported that they are expected to exchange views on the roles the U.S. and Japan should play in building the international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

Vice President Harris is expected to visit Japan for the first time since taking office, coinciding with her attendance at the state funeral.

The Japanese government is coordinating to limit the number of attendees at former Prime Minister Abe's state funeral to about 6,000. Prominent figures from various countries are expected to attend.

Kyodo News reported that former U.S. President Barack Obama is coordinating his attendance at the state funeral, and that French President Emmanuel Macron and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel are also considering attending. However, the news agency added that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected to attend.

It is anticipated that Prime Minister Kishida will hold meetings with current and former leaders of major countries if they visit.

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is also reportedly considering attendance. From South Korea, a condolence delegation including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk is expected to be dispatched.