Japanese Say Goodbye To Former Leader Abe

July 12, 2022 4:19 am

TOKYO (AP) – Japanese have bid their final goodbye to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a family funeral was held at a temple days after his assassination that shocked the nation. Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister who remained influential even after he stepped down two years ago, was gunned down Friday during a campaign speech. Hundreds of people filled pedestrian walks outside of the Zojoji temple in downtown Tokyo to bid farewell to Abe. Mourners waved, took photos, and some called out “Abe san!” as a motorcade including a hearse slowly drove by the packed crowd. Only his widow, other close family members and senior party leaders including Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended the funeral.