State funeral for Abe in Japan: protest overshadows grief

The state funeral for assassinated former Prime Minister Abe has begun in Tokyo. Revelations about Abe’s involvement with a dubious sect led to massive protests against the act of mourning.

Two and a half months after the assassination of Shinzo Abe, a highly controversial state funeral for the former Prime Minister of Japan is taking place in Tokyo. It is the preliminary climax of a domestic political crisis in Japan. The main focus is on the influence of religious institutions on politics.

There have been loud protests again and again in recent weeks – which is very unusual in Japan. According to recent polls, more than 60 percent of Japanese people are against the act of national mourning. More than 400,000 people signed a corresponding petition on the Internet. Recently, a man near the seat of government in Tokyo even set himself on fire in protest.

Abe very controversial in Japan

The soul of the people is boiling. “The state wants to do something and spend a lot of money on it, which more than half of the people reject. I just don’t understand it and couldn’t stay at home,” said a protester at a protest against the state funeral.

The act of mourning costs the equivalent of almost twelve million euros in tax money. Six times as much as originally thought. Many people might still overlook this if Abe’s political achievements weren’t so controversial.

Closest connections to the Moon sect

In his home country, the ex-prime minister also stands for nepotism, unresolved scandals and very nationalistic politics. However, the mood finally changed when it came out how close the ties between Abe, his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the South Korean Moon sect were and still are. For Abe’s killer, this was the motive – and for the opposition, it’s a godsend.

Mizuho Fukushima, MP for the Social Democratic Party, says what many voters are suspicious of. “Ever closer ties between the ruling party and the Moon sect are coming to light. But there will still be a state act. What do you think: Isn’t that ultimately a justification for the Moon sect?” Fukushima asked in a speech.

Acting Prime Minister under pressure

A foreign sect is an important pillar of the all-powerful party in Japan. This shakes confidence in the LDP, and the poll numbers are falling rapidly: from well over 50 percent to just under 40 percent.

Acting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida feels compelled to act. “There are still many people who are concerned and suspicious due to media reports of close ties between Liberal Democratic Party politicians, including ministers, and the Moon sect. As the party leader, I sincerely apologize,” said Kishida.

Influence of the sect on politics

In fact, almost half of LDP MPs admit to having links with the sect. Kishida has already replaced 14 people in his cabinet.

“The ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries of state in my cabinet have undertaken to check whether their own ties to the Moon sect continue to exist and, if necessary, to sever all ties with them,” Kishida continued.

For the time being, this does not change anything at the low point in the survey. Also because at least three members of the new cabinet have donated money to the Moon sect in the past. The influence of religious, sometimes dubious, institutions on politics remains. And the protests, which are unusually loud for Japan, will probably last that long.