Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Chairman of Halk Maslahaty chamber of Turkmen bicameral parliament Milli Gengesh, will attend the state funeral for the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, scheduled for September 27. It is stated in the message of the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida sent to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

“I express my sincere gratitude to Your Excellency for the deep words of condolence and support in connection with the tragic untimely death of the former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, in memory of whom on July 11 this year a memorial dinner was given on behalf of Your Excellency - kurbanlyk-sadaka. I also grateful that the Chairman of Halk Maslahaty of Milli Gengesh of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed his desire to participate in the state funeral of the former Prime – Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, scheduled on September 27,” is said in the message of F. Kishida, that was read today in the news program “Watan” of the Turkmen television.

In conclusion of the message the Head of Japan Government assured that he “following the will of the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who made a significant contribution to the development of relations between our countries, I aim to further strengthen ties between Japan and Turkmenistan”.

We remind that on July 8, 2022, an attempt was made on Abe during his street performance during the election campaign in the city of Nara. He died in hospital shortly afterwards.

The funeral and cremation of Abe's body took place on July 12.

Shinzo Abe will become the second former prime minister in the post-war period, after whose death a state funeral will be held. The first was former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, who died on October 20, 1967.

Shinzo Abe has served as Prime Minister of Japan for the longest time in the country's recent history: on August 24, 2020, his term in office exceeded 2,799 days.