Haavisto leaves for Japan to attend Abe’s funeral

Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto will visit Tokyo on 26–27 September to attend the state funeral for Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Tuesday, said the ministry in a press release on Sunday.

“The whole democratic world was shocked and saddened by the assassination of Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe was an experienced and respected leader in international politics. We want to show solidarity and support to Japan. At the same time, we condemn all violence, including political violence,” Haavisto said.

In Tokyo, Haavisto will have a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi and exchange views on topical foreign policy questions with various Japanese actors.

Abe was shot in July while making a campaign speech a few days ahead of the Japanese House of Councillors election.