Abe's state funeral to cost gov't 250 million yen: sources
Baku, August 25, AZERTAC
The controversial state funeral for slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next month is going to cost the Japanese government around 250 million yen ($1.8 million), government sources said Thursday, according to Kyodo News.
The amount, to be approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's Cabinet as early as Friday, is expected to include costs for renting the venue, the Nippon Budokan hall in Tokyo, and COVID-19 precautions, according to the sources.
The price tag, which does not include the costs of security around the venue by police for the Sept. 27 event, will be fully drawn from reserve funds of the government's fiscal 2022 budget through next March, the sources said.
The government, which is expected to compile the outline of the event, plans to invite up to 6,400 people, exceeding around 6,000 people who took part in the most recent state funeral for former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida in 1967.
Kishida expressed in July his intention to hold a state funeral for the former leader, citing his record eight years and eight months as prime minister as well as the significant recognition he garnered in the international community.
Key foreign figures planning to attend the funeral include former U.S. President Barack Obama, current Vice President Kamala Harris and French President Emmanuel Macron.
As part of efforts to beef up security and prevent terrorist attacks using aircraft, Japan's transport ministry said Thursday it will set up a no-fly zone for areas within a 46-kilometer radius of Nippon Budokan.
Regular flights departing from or arriving to Tokyo's Haneda airport and Narita airport near Tokyo will not be subject to the three-day restriction from Sept. 26, according to the ministry.
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