DILI, 11 august 2022 (TATOLI)—Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak said Timor-Leste has received an invitation from the government of Japan to attend the Japanese Former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe’s State Funeral on september 27.
“During the meeting, President Horta and I talked about Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s State Funeral. Because we are invited by the Japanese Government to attend Abe’s State Funeral. So, we will consider the invitation to attend the funeral ceremony,” Ruak made the comments after meeting the President of the Republic Jose Ramos Horta at the Palace of the President, today.
Abe was the longest-serving leader who was shot dead on july 8 during a campaign speech in the western city of Nara, Japan.
The funeral of Shinzo Abe took place on july 12, where thousands of the mourners were present to pay tribute and respect.
Abe’s State Funeral ceremony will take place at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan, where many Heads of Government will attend the funeral. Nippon Budokan is a large venue that was used for Japan’s last state funeral for former prime minister, Shigeru Yoshida, in 1967.
Shinzo Abe was a Japanese politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020. Abe served as the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history.
At the meeting, the Head of the Government and President Horta also talked about an invitation from the Vatican, which the President will nominate Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, accompanied by a delegation of the government to attend the event in Rome.
“We have received an invitation from the Vatican. So, I also informed President Horta about the invitation and our charismatic leader will be nominated by the Head of State to attend the event,” said Ruak.
Journalist: Nelson de Sousa
Editor: Cancio Ximenes
Translation: Filomeno Martins
