Shinzo Abe funeral - live: Protests continue as Japan and allies honour slain ex-PM

Japan on Tuesday paid its final respects at the state funeral of Shinzo Abe with flowers and gun salutes as protests against the ceremony continued in Tokyo.

Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister was assassinated at a campaign rally on 8 July.

More than 4,300 people, including world leaders representing Japan’s allies, attended the rare state funeral – an honour ordinarily reserved only for members of Japan’s imperial family.

The ceremony began with Abe’s widow Akie Abe entering the hall carrying an urn containing ashes of the former prime minister.

Prime minister Fumio Kishida led the tributes to Shinzo Abe by delivering the first eulogy of the day, where he reflected on his predecessor’s efforts in diplomacy and security.

“He was a person who needed to live for a long time,” said Mr Kishida.

The funeral, held at a projected cost of up to $12m, triggered protests domestically with people criticising Mr Kishida for spending large amounts of taxpayers’ money.

Demonstrations against the funeral reached a peak on Monday with nearly 10,000 protesters marching through the streets of the capital demanding the event be called off. Earlier a man set himself on fire near the prime minister’s office.

Key points

• Funeral service underway for Shinzo Abe

• PM Fumio Kishida delivers eulogy, highlights Abe’s diplomacy

• Why are Japanese citizens protesting the state funeral?

• Who is attending the funeral?

Kishida reflects on Abe’s diplomatic ties

08:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Prime minister Fumio Kishida led the tributes to Shinzo Abe by delivering the first eulogy of the day, where he praised his predecessor’s efforts in diplomacy and security.

“He was a person who needed to live for a long time,” said Mr Kishida after expressing his condolences for Abe’s sudden death. “I had a firm belief that you were to contribute as a compass to show the future direction of Japan and the rest of the world for 10 or 20 more years.”

He added: “Abe-san ... you’ve worked tirelessly and exhausted all your energy for both Japan and the world.”

Highlighting Abe’s efforts in strengthening diplomatic ties, Mr Kishida added: “On the foundation laid, we will create a sustainable and inclusive Japan, region, and a world where all people shine.”

World leaders pay floral tributes to Abe

07:54 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

US vice president Kamala Harris, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese, India's Narendra Modi, South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo and hundreds of world leaders present at the funeral paid floral tributes to Shinzo Abe.

Former Japanese prime ministers lay flowers

07:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former Japanese prime ministers Junichiro Koizumi, Yoshiro Mori and Yasuo Fukuda lay flowers to pay respect.

Suga praises predecessor Abe

07:32 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Yoshihide Suga, the former prime minister of Japan, who worked closely with Shinzo Abe as a longtime chief cabinet secretary, praised the slain leader for his international politics.

“You always said you wanted to make Japan better, that you wanted young people to have hope and pride,” Mr Suga said.

He recalled how he was in distress after hearing about Abe’s shooting and rushed to the hospital as the former prime minister fought for his life.

Japan’s imperial family represented by crown prince and princess

06:59 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The emperor and empress of Japan, who attended the Queen's funeral in London last week, were not present for Abe's ceremony.

The imperial family is represented by Japan's crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko.

Protest continues in Tokyo

06:52 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Pro and anti-funeral protesters marched near Tokyo's Budokan arena earlier today.

Kishida delivers eulogy

06:39 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida is presently speaking at the funeral.

Prior to his speech, mourners at the hall watched a video tribute to Abe, which featured moments from his time in office.

State funeral service for Abe begins

06:09 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

State funeral service for the slain leader began after his widow Akie Abe entered the hall carrying an urn containing the ashes of Shinzo Abe, placed in a wooden box and wrapped in a cloth.

His ashes were received by prime minister Fumio Kishida, who then formally handed it to military officers.

The box was then placed at the centre of the altar.

Abe accorded 19-volley salute

06:03 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Shinzo Abe’s widow Akie Abe leaves for the service carrying an urn containing the ashes of the former prime minister.

He was accorded a 19-volley salute.

Members of the public pay respects to Abe

05:51 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Since early this morning, mourners have been queuing to pay their respects to Japan’s longest-serving prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Inside the Budokan funeral hall, a large portrait of Abe draped with black ribbon hung over a bank of green, white and yellow flowers.

A section of the area has been set up for members of the public to leave flowers.

India’s Modi meets Kishida ahead of state funeral

05:37 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, who missed the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, arrived early this morning in Japan to pay his respects to Shinzo Abe.

Mr Modi met his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida earlier today, ahead of the state funeral at 2pm local time.

India, a member of the “Quad”, is an important ally for Japan at a time when China has been showing increasing aggression in the Pacific and South China Sea regions.

The Quad, which consists of Japan, the US, Australia and India, was launched at the initiative of Abe.

Kishida’s ‘funeral diplomacy’

05:33 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida is expected to hold talks with about 40 foreign dignitaries over the next few days at the Akasaka state guest house in Tokyo in a flurry of what he has dubbed “funeral diplomacy”.

He has already met with the US vice president Kamala Harris, Vietnamese president Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Philippine vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio and about 10 other foreign dignitaries.

Mr Kishida told Ms Harris that Abe “poured his heart and soul” into strengthening ties between their two countries and it was his “duty” to carry on Abe’s aspirations.

What will the ceremony entail?

05:19 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The funeral is slated to start at 2pm local time on Tuesday at the Nippon Budokan in central Tokyo.

Japanese troops will line the streets around the venue, and 20 of them will perform guards of honour outside of Abe's home as his family leaves, then there will be a 19-volley salute.

The ceremony will start when Abe's widow Akie Abe enters the hall carrying an urn containing the ashes of Abe, placed in a wooden box and wrapped in white cloth.

After entering the hall, attendees will listen to a speech given by Hirokazu Matsuno, the deputy chair of the funeral committee. They will then rise for the national anthem before observing a moment’s silence.

That will be followed by commemorative speeches, the sending off of Mr Abe’s remains and the laying of commemorative wreaths.

The memorial service is expected to last for an hour and a half.

Who is attending the funeral?

05:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

More than 700 foreign dignitaries, including nearly 50 world leaders, are expected to attend Tuesday’s event in Tokyo.

US vice president Kamala Harris, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, Australia’s Anthony Albanese, Singapore’s Lee Hsien Loong, Vietnamese president Nguyen Xuan Phuc, South Korean prime minister Han Duck-soo, along with the Philippines vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio will be present at the state funeral.

In total, more than 4,300 people will attend the event to pay their respects to the slain prime minister.

Why are Japanese citizens protesting Shinzo Abe’s state funeral?

04:57 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The decision to hold a state funeral for slain former prime minister Shinzo Abe has triggered protests, with citizens criticising the current premier for spending large amounts of taxpayers’ money to host foreign dignitaries.

The state funeral - a rare honour - is usually reserved for the members of Japan’s imperial family. The last politician to be given one was former prime minister Shigeru Yoshida in 1967.

On Monday, nearly 10,000 protesters with banners marched through the streets of Tokyo with demands to call off the event. Last week, a man in his seventies set himself on fire near the prime minister’s office in the capital to oppose the service.

“I don’t think this funeral should be held,” said Hidemi Noto, a 38-year-old assistant movie director who had stopped by the site at the Nippon Budokan Hall on Monday.

“It has a completely different meaning to a funeral for ordinary people. I don’t think we should use tax money for this,” he told Reuters.

Security beefed up in Tokyo

04:49 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Tokyo was placed under maximum security, with a large number of uniformed police officers stationed around the Budokan hall, where the state funeral is being held.

Roads around the venue were closed for the day, and coin lockers at main stations were sealed for security.

According to local media, nearly 20,000 police officers were deployed in the capital to prevent the protestors from gathering.

04:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Shinzo Abe’s state funeral.