Azmin to represent PM at state funeral for late Shinzo Abe in Tokyo

International Trade and Industry Minister Azmin Ali will represent the prime minister at the State Funeral Ceremony for former Japanese prime minister, the late Shinzo Abe.

The state funeral will be held on Sept 27 at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo.

The Foreign Ministry in a statement today said the ceremony includes a greeting session with Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the presence of Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno and Japan Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

Azmin will also extend condolences to Abe’s spouse, Akie Abe, at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

Abe, the longest-serving prime minister in Japan, was assassinated while delivering an election speech in Nara on July 8.

During his tenure as prime minister, Abe visited Malaysia three times and played an instrumental role in enhancing bilateral relations including strengthening further the Look East Policy (LEP). 

His last visit to Malaysia as the special envoy of the Japanese prime minister to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the LEP in March 2022. 

During the visit, he had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah as well as a meeting with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Ismail Sabri and Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah had signed the book of condolences at the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on July 13, the statement read.

- Bernama

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