https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Shinzo ... 8&si=44594

Japan to bar Putin from attending Shinzo Abe state funeral
Tokyo to convey schedule to Taiwan and others that sent condolences


Russian President Vladimir Putin called former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe an "outstanding statesman" in a condolence message. © Reuters
Nikkei staff writersJuly 22, 2022 23:37 JST

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is expected to refuse Russian President Vladimir Putin as a guest at the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe this fall should he desire to attend, Nikkei has learned.

The Russian leader is subject to a de facto entry ban imposed in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Putin sent a condolence message after Abe was killed on July 8, calling him an "outstanding statesman" who "accomplished a lot towards the development of good relations between our countries."

It is unclear whether Putin has expressed a desire to attend the state funeral, which is reportedly planned for Sept. 27 at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo.

Abe and Putin held multiple summits during the Japanese leader's tenure. Abe had made it a diplomatic priority to try to resolve a decades-old deadlock over northern islands that has stood in the way of a formal World War II peace treaty between the two countries.

Separately, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters Friday that Japan will inform Taiwan about the time and location of the event. The schedule will be conveyed to the countries with which Japan has diplomatic ties, as well as international organizations and regions, like Taiwan, that sent condolences.

Taiwanese Vice President William Lai traveled to Japan last week to attend a private funeral for Abe. Japan's Foreign Ministry said this was a "personal visit as a private individual."

Another story made up by the media. He hasn't been band and hasn't said he would attend

atst wrote: ↑Sun Jul 24, 2022 8:49 am Another story made up by the media. He hasn't been band and hasn't said he would attend

Made up or not, considering the history of the two countries, it wouldn't surprise me.