Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, as a representative of his friend, delivered a eulogy at the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today, citing Ito Hirobumi's poem "Talking about the world with you and looking back, what should you do in the world if you are not from now on", revealing his innermost feelings sad.

(Photo by reporter Lin Cuiyi)

[Commissioner Lin Cuiyi in Japan/Reported by Tokyo on the 27th] Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga had a deep friendship with the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and they were also political allies. Today, a representative of friends delivered a eulogy at Abe's state funeral; he said that in the The Prime Minister's official residence and Abe spent 7 years and 8 months together. "I am really very happy." Not only him, but all the staff will also firmly remember the memory of working hard together in those severe days, no matter what Several times, he still wanted to say, "Prime Minister Abe, you are the unparalleled and genuine leader of our country in Japan."

After Abe was assassinated on July 8, Yoshihide Suga canceled his election campaign and rushed to Nara Hospital. Afterwards, he told the media that he learned that Abe was dying. After all, Abe was a person who was afraid of loneliness. He wanted the hospital to accompany him and breathe with him. same air.

Yoshihide Suga is a politician who strives for the upper reaches from the grassroots level. He and Abe, who is a political family, have very different backgrounds, but because of the same opinion on the issue of North Korean hostage kidnapping, he became an ally and has a friendship that lasted for 22 years.

After Abe returned to power at the end of 2012, Yoshihide Suga served as Abe’s Chief Cabinet Secretary for 7 years and 8 months. When Abe resigned for the second time due to illness, Yoshihide Suga also served as the fire brigade, leading Japan to withstand the most difficult epidemic. period.

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Yoshihide Suga said that his relationship with Abe is "not an ally, but Abe is his idol." He also said in public that his "interest is Shinzo Abe."

He also said that when he met Abe for the first time, he made a secret decision in his heart, "This person will one day become the prime minister, no, he is the one who must become the prime minister.

Abe's farewell ceremony held at Zenjoji in Tokyo on July 12 was represented by Taro Aso, another political ally of Abe and vice-president of the Liberal Democratic Party, who delivered a eulogy. The third is to read a eulogy for himself, which is sour. At the end of today's eulogy, Yoshihide Suga quoted a poem written by Hirobumi Ito and sighed, "Talking about the world with you and looking back, what should you do in the world if you are not from now on?" moving.

The full text of Yoshihide Suga's eulogy:

It all stopped on July 8th.

I can only ask you to save your life when I receive this incredible news.

I want to see you right now, in the same space and breathing the same air as you.

For this reason, I rushed to the local area, and when I arrived, I was fortunate enough to see you for the last time, and you were showing a familiar warm smile.

Eighty days have passed quietly since the fateful day.

After that, morning still came, and night came on time every day.

The noisy cicadas have ceased unconsciously, but the clear sky has gradually hung up with autumn clouds.

Season is running.

Even when you're gone, time continues to pass.

I can't forgive how the world can run so mercilessly.

Why did God let this tragedy happen, and why did it take away people who should not have lost their lives?

Aside from remorse and remorse, I am greeted today with a mixture of sadness and anger.

Let me call you Prime Minister Abe today, Prime Minister Abe, have you seen it?

Around this Budokan, there are many people who want to offer flowers and participate in the state funeral in person.

2. There are not a few people who are 30 years old. Many young people who shoulder the future also look up to you and specially come to see you on the last journey.

Prime Minister, you have always held strong beliefs, telling the people every day that you want to create a Japan that can usher in a better tomorrow, and that you want young people to have hope.

Japan, Japan, bloom in the center of the world -- that's your mantra.

Only when the people who bear the burden of the next era can portray a bright future, can the economy have the possibility of growth.

As someone who has walked side by side with you along the way, it is really gratifying to see so many young people mourning your passing now, and I feel that everything has paid off.

In Heisei 12 (2000), the Japanese government planned to send white rice to North Korea.

At that time, I was a member of parliament who had only been elected for two terms, but I strongly opposed it at the General Affairs Conference of the Liberal Democratic Party, and said, "Of course it can be delivered to the people who need it, but if it cannot be guaranteed, it should not be done. Acts that could enrich the military’s own pockets.”

The news also reported on it.

You called me after reading the report and said you wanted to meet me.

You told me, "Mr. Suga, you are absolutely right. If you can help me to rescue the Japanese kidnapped by North Korea together, I will be very happy."

Your words of conviction and courage at that time became important spiritual food for my political activities later on.

Impressed by your sincere eyes and the spirit of defending your beliefs to the death, I intuitively believe that this person will one day become the Prime Minister, no, he must become the Prime Minister.

I haven't changed my mind once since then, and it's the pride of my life to be so sure of this.

Prime Minister, at one point you stepped down as Prime Minister because of the deterioration of your condition.

Because of this experience, you were hesitant about whether to participate in the LDP presidential election for the second time.

When the two of us ended up going to a yakitori restaurant in Ginza together, I tried my best to convince you to run.

Because I think that's my mission.

After 3 hours of tossing, you finally nodded.

This must be the greatest achievement of Yoshihide Suga in his life, and I will always be proud of it.

Every day when the Prime Minister was in the official residence, we would have a few casual conversations.

Until now, whenever I'm alone, I can't help but think back to the scene at that time.

Before the TPP negotiations, I suggested that we should spend more time discussing, but you, Prime Minister, said: "I don't want to miss the opportunity, I have to do it quickly".

Which side is right must have been verified by history.

If you take a step back, you will lose your energy. Only by moving forward can you develop life. You must think so.

Prime Minister, you are always so right in your judgment.

Prime Minister Abe, the country of Japan is fortunate to have such an unprecedented leader as you who can pass very difficult bills such as the specific secret protection law, a series of laws for peace and security, and the correction of the organized crime punishment law.

No matter what is missing, the security of our country cannot be called sound.

We are forever grateful for your faith and determination.

──We will overcome the national crisis and build a strong Japan, and then hope that Japan will become a truly peaceful country, and that Japan will become a country that can contribute to the world in various fields.

Even in these days when you have to make awareness and decisions, you never lose your smile, and you always treat those around you with care and tenderness.

I am truly blessed to have spent 7 years and 8 months with you at the Prime Minister's Residence.

Not only me, but all the staff will remember the memories of working hard together in those tough days.

No matter how many times I have to say, Prime Minister Abe, you are the unparalleled true leader of our country in Japan.

The House of Representatives of the House of Representatives, Room 1212, there is a half-read book on your desk. It was written by Oka Yoshitake.

One of the pages in the book is folded in a corner. You must have seen it here. Part of this page is marked with a highlighter.

The place where the mark is drawn happens to be a poem written by Yuto Yamagata in mourning for his long-time ally Hirobumi Ito who passed away earlier.

Prime Minister, there is no better way to speak to my heart than this poem.

"Talking to you about the world's affairs and looking back on what to do in the world when you are no longer here"

I am deeply sad and lonely here.

Prime Minister, thank you very, very much.

May you rest in peace.

September 27, 2022

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga

Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, as a representative of friends, delivered a eulogy at the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe today. The content was moving and moving.

(Photo by reporter Lin Cuiyi)