Over 1,000 SDF personnel to participate in Abe’s funeral

More than 1,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel are expected to take part in former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral on Sept. 27, the government has said.

e Cabinet decided the SDF will re a gun salute at the funeral. At a press conference Tuesday, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said SDF personnel will re 19 blank rounds when Abe’s remains arrive at the Nippon Budokan, the venue of the funeral service.

According to Defense Ministry guidelines on gun salutes, 21 rounds are red for heads of state, presidents and members of the Imperial Family, and 19 for prime ministers, vice presidents and other state guests of honor.

Abe’s state funeral will also have an honor guard and a musical accompaniment by the SDF band.

According to the Defense Ministry, about 1,300 SDF personnel took part in the 2007 funeral for former Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa at the Nippon Budokan, which was organized by the Cabinet and Liberal Democratic Party.

e government is expected to use Miyazawa’s funeral as a reference for the SDF’s involvement. (Sept. 15)