A crowd of over 4,300 people is expected in Japan at the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe , who was assassinated in early July during an election rally in the city of Nara. At the ceremony on 27 September - which will take place at the Budokan, a modern and multifunctional building located in the center of Tokyo - 700 guests from 218 nations will be present, including dignitaries and heads of state, as well as 7 members of the Japanese royal family .

Given the maxi-gathering, the spokesman for the Japanese government, Hirokazu Matsuno, said foreign guests will be asked to wear masks during the event to contain the spread of the coronavirus , and procedures will be put in place to ensure anti-virus measures. infection.

But there is no lack of controversy . The request, in fact, as pointed out by the local press, is in stark contrast to the organization of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II recently celebrated in London, where the same Emperor Naruhito and his wife Masako participated without the cover of the mask.

Among the leaders expected in Tokyo next week are US Vice President Kamala Harris , Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , and his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo .

For Italy the presence of the Minister of University and Research, Maria Cristina Messa , and of Senator Matteo Renzi is expected.

(Unioneonline / lf)

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