The Facts
On Tuesday, Japan honored former PM Shinzo Abe in a controversial state funeral at the Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo, with ceremonial rites involving a video tribute, honor guard, gun salute, and musical performances.
The service began at 2 pm and was attended by some 4K people, including high-profile guests such as Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Indian PM Narendra Modi, Japan's Crown Prince Akishino, and US Vice President Harris.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Opting to hold a state funeral was an unjustified decision from PM Kishida without democratic discussion and ignoring the four-decades-old joint funeral system for former prime ministers. This ceremony will deepens public division and endorses the party's highly-disturbing ties with the Unification Church.
Pro-establishment narrative
Though PM Kishida may not have followed the standard process, he was right to honor Shinzo Abe with a state funeral. Abe had his flaws, but he's undeniably among Japan's greatest leaders after reviving the country's economy and turning it into a key international player. Detractors who failed to defeat him in life are now embarrassing Japan to score political points after his death.
