U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris departs for travel to Japan and South Korea from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris departs for travel to Japan and South Korea from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, September 25, 2022.

👉 Hundreds of foreign dignitaries are expected to attend Tuesday’s state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a reflection of his broad popularity overseas. But Abe, who was assassinated in July, leaves a more divided legacy at home.

Abe, Japan’s longest-serving  prime minister, won respect, especially among right-leaning nationalists, for making his country stronger amid increasing threats from China and North Korea. He also brought relative stability, ending a six-year period during which Japan averaged a new prime minister every year.

Abe’s conservative policies also angered many Japanese, though, who say he brought the country closer to war – something unimaginable for a country with a technically pacifist defense architecture. While his signature “Abenomics” strategy was ambitious, it ultimately failed to spark higher growth.

Abe’s mixed legacy helps explain the public backlash against his state funeral. Polls show a large majority of Japanese oppose the idea of holding a state funeral, which is usually reserved for the emperor and his family. Many say the event will be too expensive. The government projects the funeral will cost $12 million, much higher than an earlier estimate.

Abe’s state funeral will be held Tuesday at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall. Over 190 foreign delegations are expected to attend. It will serve as an occasion for world leaders to say goodbye to one of the 21st century's most influential leaders.

The U.S. delegation will be led by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Asked about Japanese criticism of Abe’s funeral, a senior U.S. official said he is “not going to comment on any internal Japanese attitudes.” (Reuters/VOA)