Japan Ask Foreign Guests To Use Masks At Shinzo Abe State Cemetery

Japanese Illustration (Wikimedia Commons/Sanshiro KUBOTA)

JAKARTA - Japan will ask foreign guests to attend state funerals for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe next week, to use masks to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"We will ask foreign officials and other participants to wear face masks and take preventive measures against infection, such as preparing disinfectants, on state funeral day", Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, said at a press conference Thursday, according to Kyodo News on September 22.

The request is in stark contrast to Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral in London last Monday, where participants, including Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Masako's Queen, took part without wearing a mask.

Although the number of new COVID-19 cases has decreased in Japan, the government still urges the public to wear masks inside buildings and other facilities.

On Thursday, the Japanese government said around 4,300 people were expected to attend the service to be held Tuesday, September 27 at a hall in Tokyo.

Of them, around 700 people are likely to travel to Japan from 218 countries, territories, and international organizations. This number includes 49 incumbents and former leaders from abroad.

Of the 218 countries, 117 will directly send their delegations from the country concerned. While the remaining 101 will be represented by individuals in Japan such as embassy officials, according to the government.

US Vice President Kamala Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, and Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc were among them on a list released by the government.

From China, Wan Gang, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is scheduled to attend the ceremony, Matsuno said.