Vice President Kamala Harris will lead the US delegation to the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later this month, the Associated Press reported, citing the White House.

During his trip from September 25 to 29, Harris will also visit South Korea.

The White House said her visit "will honor Prime Minister Abe's legacy and underscore the importance of his leadership in upholding the alliance between the United States and Japan and in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

The trip will be Harris' first official visit to the two countries since she took office last year.

She will meet with senior government officials and civil society leaders, and the White House said that during her trip, the vice president will discuss topics related to economic and trade interests, as well as security.

Japan says goodbye to Shinzo Abe

Abe was shot in July on a street in western Japan by a man who opened fire on him in the back while the politician was giving a campaign speech, the AP recalled.

Abe, 67, was Japan's longest-serving leader when he stepped down in 2020.

Shinzo Abe

Kamala Harris