TE24 International Desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin does not plan to travel to Japan to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, adding that the extent of Russia’s participation would be determined later. “No, Putin has no plans. To visit Japan, to attend the funeral. The level [of participation] will be determined later. Putin is not going,” he said in response to a question from TASS.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara said at a regular news conference on Monday that Tokyo had notified all countries with diplomatic ties, including Russia, of the date and location of the state funeral.
The Japanese government had earlier approved a decision. A state funeral will be held on September 27 for the man who died in the July 8 attack. The event will be held at the Budokan Arena (Marshall), where a large number of foreign delegates, including heads of state, are expected to attend (Arts Hall) in Tokyo, near the Imperial Palace.
Last week, the Mainichi newspaper reported, citing government sources, that Japan did not want to invite Mr. Putin to Abe’s funeral.
It emphasized that Japan had banned Russian officials from entering the country as part of sanctions imposed due to the situation surrounding Ukraine. Abe and Putin developed a warm, friendly relationship during his premiership.
They met a total of 27 times and spoke to each other by name. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in 2020 that after Abe stepped down, relations between the two leaders would be based on “truly friendly, mutual respect and personal sympathy.”
