Japan Bids Sombre Farewell to Slain Shinzo Abe, Its Longest-Serving Premier

Japan Bids Sombre Farewell to Slain Shinzo Abe, Its Longest-Serving Premier
A vehicle carrying the body of the late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe leaves after his funeral at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, on July 12, 2022. Issei Kato/Reuters
Reuters
Updated:

TOKYO—With prayers, flowers and flags draped in black ribbons, Japan on Tuesday said farewell to Shinzo Abe, a polarising figure who dominated politics as the country’s longest-serving premier, before being gunned down at a campaign rally last week.

Crowds packed pavements lined with a heavy police presence as the hearse carrying Abe, who died at age 67, departed from a central Tokyo temple on a procession through the city.