"Japanese Emperor Likely to Attend, British Queen's Funeral Unlikely... Emperor and Empress to Attend"

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
[Photo by Reuters]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has decided not to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, which will be held in London on the 19th, Kyodo News reported on the 14th.

Kyodo, citing government officials, reported, "We received an invitation from the UK allowing two heads of state to attend, and it was decided that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako would attend." Kyodo explained that Empress Masako, who is currently recuperating, will accompany Emperor Naruhito on his visit to the UK, leading the Prime Minister to postpone his attendance.

Earlier, Japanese media reported that Prime Minister Kishida was considering visiting the UK to attend the Queen's state funeral and then traveling to New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly. Since various world leaders, including President Yoon Suk-yeol and US President Joe Biden, are expected to attend the Queen's funeral, attention was focused on whether the Japanese and South Korean leaders would naturally meet.

At the Japanese Prime Minister's Office, there was also an opinion that "it is necessary to conduct condolence diplomacy in the UK," and the possibility of the Prime Minister attending if Emperor Naruhito attended the funeral alone was being considered. Kyodo reported that Prime Minister Kishida also expressed the view that "the passing of the British Queen is a great loss to the international community" and showed a willingness to visit the site to pay his respects.