Several thousand protesters are gathering ahead of a state funeral for Japan’s slain former prime minister Shinzo Abe
Ceremony has begun
The state funeral has begun. Thousands are seated in the arena. A military band has begun playing a dirge as the senior Japanese dignitaries walked in.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has received the ashes, which appear to be contained in a ceremonial box.
He then formally handed it to military officers who placed the box in the centre of the altar, set up at the front of the room.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-asia-63042999
