By Ashe O Washington September 8, : US Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the presidential delegation to Japan for the state funeral of the former prime minister who was assassinated Shinzo Abe, which is scheduled for September 27, when world royalty and leaders are expected to attend.
US President Joe Biden has asked Harris to be the leader of the delegation the US delegation, an official at the White House official said.
“Harris’ visit to Japan will celebrate the legacy of Prime Minister Abe and emphasize the significance of his role in promoting the alliance between Japan and the United States and Japan and creating a more open and free Indo-Pacific region,” the White House official said.
The other participants of the group will be revealed at a later time.
Local media in Asia have reported in the last month that US officials have started making preparations for the Vice President’s visitto Asia, the CNN reported, quoting a White House official.
Harris is scheduled to visit in Asia during the period of September 25-29 The first stop will be Tokyo before making a visit in Seoul.
In both cities, Harris will meet with “senior officials from the government and civil society members in an array of events that will highlight the power of the United States’ alliances with Japan and the Republic of Korea”, the official said.
A person who is who is familiar with the plan said to CNN that Harris is likely to meet with Japan’s Premier Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol.
This will be Harris his second trip to Asia since he took his post.In August 2021 Harris made a trip to Southeast Asia in the of the midst of the first significant foreign policy crises following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Harris hosted a series of events aimed at bolstering relations with the regional community and focus on regional security issues , amid concerns about China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea; economic priorities and supply chain issues such as global chip production and climate change, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials view this trip as building on the work she did on her previous trip as well as another chance to shine on the world stage, according to a source who spoke to CNN.
Abe 67, died in July following being shot during an address to the campaign on an avenue in Nara, Japan.Biden at the time mourned the loss of his friend by stating that he was “stunned and outraged, as well as extremely sad” at the announcement of the passing of Abe, his “friend”.
“Above all the rest, [Abe] was deeply concerned for the Japanese people and devoted his life to their cause.Even when he was targeted, he was engaged in the work of democracy,” Biden had said in the statement issued by the White House.
In the meantime, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has firmly supported the funeral of the state for Abe scheduled for Sept.27 in the Budokan arena.
In defense of the choice to have the funeral, Kishida said: “We’ve received numerous inquiries to be invited to the funeral of people who are members of the royal families as well as presidents and heads of states.I’m increasingly convinced that we have to acknowledge such respect and condolences with graciousness.”
He also promised to “squarely answer questions” from opposition parties on the funeral of the state in the Parliament the reports from Tokyo reported.
In a recent survey carried out by the Mainichi Shimbun, 30 per percent of respondents said that they were in favor of the event, while 53 per cent said they were in opposition.
People’s opinion in Japan is divided on the question of whether Abe should be given the honor.Many consider it an utter waste of taxpayers and money.
The cabinet has confirmed that at minimum 250 million yen had been given to the ceremony at Budokan arena.Budokan arena.
This figure, however it doesn’t include security costs, with opposition parties suggesting that the final figure could run into billions.
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