Japan goes ahead with state funeral plan for slain ex-leader Abe

The Japanese government officially decided Friday to hold a state funeral for slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a Tokyo arena in the fall, despite concerns among some opposition parties and members of the public that it may lead to forced condolences for the figure, much more highly praised abroad.Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a press conference after the Cabinet decision that a secretariat was set up in the Cabinet Office to prepare for the Sept. 27 event, to be held at the Nippon Budokan with foreign dignitaries among those attending.It will be only the second s…READ FULL ARTICLE