Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered a eulogy on behalf of the government today as the head of the State Funeral Executive Committee. He believes that in the near future, many people in Japan and around the world will miss "the time of Prime Minister Abe" and "the era of Prime Minister Abe" from time to time.

(Photo by reporter Lin Cuiyi)

[Commissioner Lin Cuiyi in Japan/Reported by Tokyo on the 27th] Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida delivered a speech today (27th) on behalf of the Japanese government at the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He said that Abe is the longest-ruling prime minister in the history of Japan's constitutional government. All his deeds will be remembered even longer, and he also believes that in the near future, many people in Japan and around the world will miss the "time of Prime Minister Abe" and "the era of Prime Minister Abe" from time to time.

On July 14, the sixth day after Abe's assassination, Kishida announced a state funeral for Abe. However, this decision was met with backlash from the Japanese leftists and the Communist Party, and the Japanese media pursued them in a "witch hunt" way. Under the relationship between the Liberal Democratic Party and the old Unification Church, Kishida's poll approval rate fell below 50%, reaching a new low since taking office.

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Kishida believes that Abe is the longest-serving prime minister in Japan’s constitutional history, especially after regaining power for the second time, he has repaired the Japan-US alliance that fell to the bottom during the Democratic Party’s regime, leaving behind many political achievements, and Abe is helping the election. When assassinated, it is necessary for the country to show its determination not to yield to violence and to protect democracy, and also to respond politely to the condolences of other countries. The state funeral is very appropriate.

The Sankei Shimbun also reported that Kishida did not back down or regret even though the polls declined. Officials at the official residence revealed that they had never heard the Prime Minister say "I would have done it if I had known it earlier."

Full text of the eulogy of Fumio Kishida, head of the State Funeral Executive Committee:

The state funeral ceremony for the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who received the chrysanthemum ornaments of the Grand Order, was held today, and I hereby offer my eulogy on behalf of the government.

On July 8, as the election campaign draws to a close, Mr. Abe, as always, is eager to talk to the public about the way this country should go.

However, in an instant, everything was silenced by violence, and what should never be allowed suddenly became a reality.

Who could have predicted that such a day would come?

Mr. Abe, you should be someone who wants to live longer and longer.

I was so convinced that you will continue to fight as a compass leading Japan and the world in the next 10 or even 20 years.

It's not just me who has this idea.

Today, people from all walks of life in Japan and people from all over the world who mourned your passing are here.

I believe that everyone is watching you today with the same feelings as me.

But this can never be achieved.

I am deeply regretful about this, even more so.

We were both first elected 29 years ago in the general election of the 40th House of Representatives and entered the political arena together.

In addition to your research on security and diplomacy, you also delved into topics such as economics and social security. As a colleague of the same period, I have already seen your tireless and tireless attitude.

I know very well that you were indignant about the abduction of Japanese by North Korea long before you got your seat in Congress, and you have a strong sense of justice in this case.

I know you must be very sorry for not being able to pick up the victims in time.

I will definitely carry on your legacy and do my best to reunite the family members who miss their loved ones for a long time.

In Heisei 18 (2006), you became prime minister at the age of 52, the first Japanese prime minister born after World War II.

I still remember when you, as the leader of our generation, were full of anticipation and excitement, ready to tackle the problems of the foundations of the country that had been put on hold for a long time after the war,

──Our country, Japan, is a country that has benefited from beautiful nature, a long history and a unique culture, and there are still endless possibilities.

──With our courage, wisdom and hard work, we can fully realize this potential.

Let's be proud of being Japanese, and let's discuss what we can do for tomorrow's Japan.

The message to the nation from the youngest prime minister after World War II was that simple and clear.

In order to get rid of the post-war system, you upgraded the Defense Agency to a Ministry of Defense capable of budgeting on its own, enacted a referendum law, and built a bridge on the road to constitutional revision.

The Basic Law of Education was reformed for the first time in 60 years, sowing the seeds for a new Japanese identity.

When you set foot in the Indian Congress, you proposed "two seas as one", and for the first time promoted the concept of "Indo-Pacific".

These are the cornerstones of what we are today.

At that time you were asked in Parliament, what is a prime minister?

Your answer: The so-called Prime Minister is not a cast product that is completed by pouring molten iron into a mold, but a forged product that can be formed after a lot of hard work.

This answer is really in line with you who have been honed in the steel industry.

But you had to voluntarily resign as Prime Minister after just one year. I believe that for you, there should be nothing more painful than this.

But we all know that at the end of Heisei 24 (2012), when you returned to the post of Prime Minister, you had already smelted yourself into a stronger forge.

You extend the concept of "two seas as one" that you have explained, and create a vision framework that covers many countries and people - "a free and open Indo-Pacific".

Strengthening relations with the United States has allowed Japan and the United States to grow by leaps and bounds, and in accordance with years of advocacy to strengthen cooperation with India and Australia, the "Quarter Security Dialogue (Quad)" has been established.

Your multi-level diplomacy has allowed Japan to establish good relations with all parts of the world.

Signed an economic partnership agreement and a strategic partnership agreement with Europe, and developed a decisive and blunt diplomatic form with Asia, Eurasia, the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America. Mutual aid relationship.

The laws of peace and security, the specific secret protection law, etc. are all bills that you have passed through untold hard work, and thus double the security of our country.

To build a reliable roof for the security of Japan, the region, and the world, and to maintain and promote an open international order that values ​​freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. In this world, Abe is working harder than anyone else. Jinsan is up.

It is my lifetime honor to be able to join your Cabinet as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and as an ally working together under the same sky, and to be dedicated to advancing Japanese diplomacy wholeheartedly.

At home you encourage young people, especially looking to make women more active.

Efforts are made to increase the willingness of the people to have children by reducing the burden of childcare.

Raise the consumption tax and use the increased state revenue to reduce childcare and tuition fees.

You made such a decision presumably because you believed that at the other end of the decision there would be a group of Japanese youths who had regained their confidence and created something new to lead Japan forward.

You are the longest-serving Prime Minister in our constitutional history, and history will remember all your deeds even longer.

You once quoted the famous saying of Inazaki Nitoto at the graduation ceremony of the National Defense University, "Courage is doing what is right."

Mr. Abe, you are such a courageous person.

Always sincere, passionate, cherishing friends, and a good husband who loves Mrs. Zhaohui deeply, I will miss you forever.

There will surely be many people in Japan and around the world who will miss the "time of Prime Minister Abe" and "the era of Prime Minister Abe" from time to time.

I hereby vow to make Japan, this region, and the world a better place on the foundations you have set up, and this is my eulogy.

Mr. Abe, Prime Minister Abe.

You have worked so hard along the way, and we truly thank you.

May you rest in peace.

September 27, 2022

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (left) co-chaired today's funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as the head of the State Funeral Executive Committee with the funeral director Akie Abe.

(Photo by reporter Lin Cuiyi)