PM bids final farewell to Japan’s Abe; meets EU, VN presidents

PRIME Minister Hun Sen on September 27 arrived for the state funeral of the slain former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, where he also met European Council chief Charles Michel and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to discuss issues of common concerns.

The honour of a state funeral – normally reserved for members of Japan’s imperial family only – was extended to Abe in light of his service to Japan as their longest-tenured prime minister in the post-World War II-era and it was attended by foreign dignitaries from around the globe whom Abe had forged ties with while in office.

Hun Sen expressed his condolence as well as deep respect for Abe and sadness at his loss to both his wife and incumbent Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In a social media post after the event, Hun Sen said he always considered Abe to be an outstanding statesman and a dear friend to him and Cambodia as a whole.

He added Abe was a true friend and loyal supporter of Cambodia who made a profound contribution to the promotion of their bilateral relations and always supported development across all sectors of the Kingdom.

He referred to Abe as a long-standing “close friend” who contributed to deepening the partnership between Cambodia and Japan and promoted international cooperation for the mutual benefit of their two countries and peoples.

“His Excellency Shinzo Abe’s generous gestures and sincere sentiments will always be remembered in the hearts of the Cambodian people … May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

According to the post, the state funeral for Abe was attended by roughly 50 heads of state and government as well as former world leaders and other prominent figures for a total of over

SPM Prime Minister Hun Sen – among 4,500 attendees including 50 world leaders – pays a last tribute to late Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated on July 8, at a state funeral held on September 27 at Nippon Budokan Hall, in Chiyoda, Tokyo.