Tomorrow's 'Abe State Funeral'... Faded Condolence Diplomacy, Division Instead of National Unity

Normal-Level Relay Meetings Start from the 26th
Japanese Media "Talks Without Preparation Yield No Results"
Anti-Protocol Protests Held Across Japan

On the 25th (local time), two days before the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, citizens in Tokyo are protesting against the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As it is expected that all leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries will not attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo scheduled for the 27th, criticism is rising that Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's envisioned 'condolence diplomacy' has lost its significance. Even two days before the state funeral, opposition rallies were held across Japan, leading to criticism that the forced promotion of the state funeral only caused national division.

On the 26th, Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Prime Minister Kishida began a series of meetings with visiting heads of state in Japan from that day. Kishida started with a meeting and dinner with Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), followed by a meeting with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

On the 27th, he will also meet with Indian Prime Minister Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, both members of the Quad security dialogue against China. Kishida plans to hold talks with about 30 heads of state at the Tokyo Motoakasaka State Guest House until the 28th.

South Korea is dispatching a condolence delegation led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, along with National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk and two ambassadors to Japan. According to Asahi Shimbun, Han’s side is reportedly coordinating a meeting schedule with Prime Minister Kishida. Since Kishida plans to use this state funeral as a diplomatic platform, attention is focused on whether a meaningful meeting to advance Korea-Japan relations will take place.

However, with all G7 leaders notifying their non-attendance, Japanese media expressed regret that condolence diplomacy is unlikely to yield visible results. Initially, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the only leader who had expressed intention to attend, canceled due to hurricane damage response. Among the 218 countries that conveyed attendance intentions, 101 plan to send ambassadors to Japan.

Regarding this, Asahi Shimbun pointed out, "Currently, the U.S. is facing important midterm elections, and with the state funeral held close to the UN General Assembly speech, it is highly likely that countries decided to send representatives other than heads of state. While there may be opportunities to externally demonstrate relations with various countries or create a cooperative atmosphere, it is difficult to achieve concrete results in unprepared diplomatic meetings."

With the practical meaning of condolence diplomacy fading, opposition rallies against the state funeral have been held across Japan, leading to criticism that Prime Minister Kishida has only deepened national division.

On the 25th, in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, 300 citizens marched holding placards saying "Oppose Tax Use" and "Oppose State Funeral," and on the 19th, 13,000 people held a rally demanding the cancellation of the state funeral at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, Tokyo. A civic group also filed a provisional injunction with the Tokyo District Court seeking to prohibit the Cabinet’s decision to hold the state funeral and the execution of its budget.

Professor Otokawa Chizu of Kanagawa University told NHK, "Prime Minister Kishida brought to the surface the issue of evaluating former Prime Minister Abe’s achievements, which had been dormant, causing political conflict. The Prime Minister should return to square one, mend the divisions he caused, and demonstrate an attitude pursuing democracy based on dialogue."