Shinzo Abe Death: Man Set Himself on Fire in Protest Against Japan's State Funeral Plan for Former Prime Minister

According to reports, a Japanese man set himself on fire to protest the ex-prime minister Shinzo Abe's official burial, who was killed in July.

On September 27, Wednesday, hundreds of foreign dignitaries are anticipated at the funeral. After witnessing a man on fire near Tokyo's prime minister's office, witnesses phoned the police. Authorities put out the fire and rushed the still-alive victim to the hospital. His injuries' severity and present state are unclear. The man is reportedly in his 70s, as per Japanese media reports.

Man Sets Himself Ablaze in Japan

The government has not yet responded to the protest. Polls indicate that the majority of voters are displeased with the expense of Shinzo Abe's funeral, although popular resistance to holding the state funeral has grown in recent months.

At a gathering for his political party, Abe was shot and killed on July 8 at the age of 67. The shooting of Japan's longest-serving prime minister stunned the nation and was denounced internationally. Gun crime and political violence are uncommon in Japan.

Police have not officially confirmed the specifics of the protest on Tuesday, but according to local media, the guy had spoken to a nearby police about his displeasure with the funeral before burning himself on fire. According to local media, handwritten letters with the identical message were also discovered near him, as per BBC.

A representative of the Tokyo Fire Department said a man lit himself on fire in the Kasumigaseki administrative area of Tokyo but declined to provide any information, such as the guy's identify, motivation, or condition, citing the sensitivity of the situation as a police case.

When asked about a report that a police officer was caught in the fire, Tokyo police declined to comment. Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, is in New York for the annual gathering of world leaders for the UN General Assembly.

Kishida urged for reforms that would enable the UN to effectively preserve world peace and order in a speech on Tuesday, expressing concern that the Security Council was unable to act in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine due to Russia's perpetual veto, according to NBC News.

Shinzo Abe's Controversial State Funeral

Shinzo Abe's official funeral, which has sparked protests and even what appears to be an attempt at self-immolation, has become a flashpoint for debate. Abe's alleged killer reportedly loathed the Unification Church because his mother had made sizable donations to it and believed the former prime minister was connected to it.

In Tokyo, Abe's friends and family came together for a private funeral service. Many people gathered in the nearby streets to pray and present flowers. In Japan during the post-war period, Shigeru Yoshida's funeral in 1967 was the only other state funeral for a former prime minister.

According to Kishida, a ceremonial funeral will let international leaders to offer their condolences and show that Japan will not give in to violence. Opposition claimed Kishida had exceeded his power by approving the funeral, which immediately generated controversy.

In the wake of Abe's death, the LDP admitted that around half of its members had ties to the contentious group, whose followers are referred to as "Moonies" in honor of the movement's founder Sun Myung Moon.bDespite Kishida's assurances that the party will severe all links, the revelations and rising church opposition have weakened popular support for his administration.

Despite serving the longest term ever, Abe was not well-liked in Japan.bWidespread antagonism was exacerbated by his nationalist beliefs and continuing allegations that he practiced cronyism.

The government estimates that the cost of the funeral will be close to $12 million. That is a significant increase from the government's first estimate, which did not include security or hosting expenses. Despite acknowledging the anger about the funeral and replying to questions during a broadcast special session of parliament, polls show that Kishida hasn't done much to change the situation, Daily Sun reported.

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