September 28, 2022

Amid a storm of protests, the Kishida Cabinet on September 27 forcibly held a state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

In Tokyo, holding placards that read, “We don't support the unconstitutional state funeral!” and “Don’t praise Abe’s politics!”, 15,000 people took part in a rally held in front of the main gate of the Diet building during the state funeral.

In the rally, along with Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo, representatives of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, the “Reiwa Shinsengumi” party, and the Social Democratic Party delivered speeches in solidarity. A message from the Upper House political group “Okinawa Whirlwind” was read out.

Shii stressed that the holding of state funerals violates the postwar Constitution, and that it must continuously be called into question. Shii pointed out that the Kishida government intends to force the general public to praise Abe politics, adding, “Let us foil such an attempt.”

Appealing for the need to keep on voicing criticism against irrational acts, Shii said, “Let us put an end to the Kishida administration that imposes on the general public the endorsement of the ex-PM Abe-led government, the most conservative regime of the postwar period. Let us work together to build a new government!”

In addition to Tokyo, protest actions were organized simultaneously in many cities throughout the country, including Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Naha.