Japan gov't planning to have 6,400 people attend ex-PM Abe's state funeral

TOKYO -- The Japanese government is arranging for around 6,400 people to attend former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral scheduled for Sept. 27, according to sources close to the government.

The funeral for Abe, following his assassination in July, is expected to be held on a larger scale than the 1967 state funeral for former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, in which about 6,000 people attended.

The state funeral will be held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward. Heads of state and other international dignitaries are considering attending. As a result of the government's arrangements, invitation letters are reportedly set to be sent to about 6,400 people.

(Japanese original by Shihoko Abe, Political News Department)