City pays tribute to Japanese PM Abe

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was assassinated while making a speech last week, with flags flown at half-mast yesterday.

The tribute comes as the former PM (pictured) was laid to rest following his shooting death in Nara on July 8.

Mayor Paul Antonio said lights on the Toowoomba outer-ring road bridge would be illuminated in Japanese colours as a further tribute.

“I personally would like to pay my respects to former Prime Minister Abe who was a great friend of Australia and a strong supporter of Australian-Japanese cultural and trade ties,” Mr Antonio said.

“Toowoomba has a strong Sister City relationship with Takatsuki City in Japan which is very close to Nara where Mr Abe unfortunately passed away.

“Toowoomba is also home to the Ju Raku En Japanese Garden which translates to ‘enjoy peace and tranquillity in a public place’ and I have personally always enjoyed fostering our Sister City relationship with Takatsuki City.

“As a show of solidarity with our Japanese friends, TRC will light up the outerring road bridge lights this week in Japanese colours and flags will fly at half-mast in the civic precinct on Tuesday, 12 July to mark Mr Abe’s funeral.

“I intend to reach out to our Sister City Takatsuki in coming weeks to offer Toowoomba’s support in reference of last week’s tragic events.

“While the Covid pandemic has kept us physically apart in recent years, our thoughts are with our Japanese friends as they mourn Mr Abe at this time.”