Man sets himself on fire to protest Abe’s state funeral, media say


TOKYO (Reuters) – A man set himself on fire near the office of Japan’s prime minister, Tokyo, apparently in protest at the state funeral of former prime minister Shinzo Abe due to take place this month, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.

Media reports said the man, aged around 70, was unconscious when discovered, but later told authorities he had intentionally doused himself with gasoline. He was taken to hospital.

A letter regarding the former Japanese prime minister’s state funeral, which read “I strongly oppose it”, was found at the scene.

A policeman who was trying to put out the flames was also injured.

Police have not confirmed the incident.

Shinzo Abe was shot dead by an assailant during a campaign rally in July, his state funeral is scheduled for September 27.

The majority of Japanese are opposed to the funeral and demonstrations are expected in the days preceding the ceremony.

The Japanese government estimates the cost of the ceremony at 1.65 billion yen (1.15 billion euros).

(Report Mariko Katsumura, Kaori Kaneko and Elaine Lies; French version Camille Raynaud)



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