44 governors of Japan’s administrative divisions intend to attend former Prime Minister Abe’s State Funeral and 38 to have the flag hoisted to half-mast. (18se22)
Splendor of Okinawa: Autumn zephyr lily, roadside Uruma, 17se22 The state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will be held on 27 September. A Sankei Shimbun canvas revealed that the governors of 44 of Japan’s administrative districts intend to participate in the event. The governors of 3 prefectures will not attend: Nagano, Shizuoka, and Okinawa. Both Shizuoka and Okinawa Prefectures explained, “We’ve already expressed our condolences.” Nagano Prefecture offered attendance at the memorial ceremony for the Mount Ontake volcanic eruption disaster as the reason for being absent. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has been appointed chair of the funeral committee, sent a formal invitation to each administrative division. The results of our canvass were gathered by the department in charge from press conferences and governors’ statements in response to press queries. Miyagi Prefecture Governor Yoshihiro Murai explained that he had in mind the time of the Great Eastern Japan Earthqua...