inp.polri.go.id - Japan will hold a state funeral for the late former prime minister Shinzo Abe on September 27. The Japanese government announced that the funeral service would be held at the Nippon Budokan, an area often used as a venue for prestigious concerts and sporting events. Nippon Budokan is also the place where the last state funeral in Japan was held in 1967. At that time, Japan was mourning the loss of former Prime Minister Shigaru Yoshida. Throughout history, Japan has only once held a state funeral for a former PM who is no longer in office, which is Yoshida. At that time, Japan wanted to honorably sent off Yoshida because he was the one who led Japan out of trouble after World War II. Now, Japan also wants to pay its highest respects to Abe, an accomplished politician who became the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history. As reported by AFP, a spokesman for the Japanese government, Hirokazu Matsuno, said that during his time in politics, Abe had achieved a number of "highly commendable" achievements. Japan will also invite foreign representatives to pay their last respects to Abe. However, the planned state ceremony has drawn criticism from a number of parties who have questioned the use of state money for the funeral of a former leader. Moreover, Abe was already buried on July 12 in a family ceremony. In response to this, Matsuno ensured that the state funeral will be held modestly in the midst of a mourning atmosphere. Abe died after being shot by Tetsuya Yamagami while giving a speech in Nara City on July 8. He was rushed to the hospital, but the bleeding was so severe that he could not survive. Abe breathed his last at 5:03 pm local time, leaving a trail of glory during his reign in Japan.