Kishida opens diplomacy rush as Japan readies Abe funeral

TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a series of meetings with foreign dignitaries on Monday in what he called "funeral diplomacy," a day before he hosts a controversial state-sponsored ceremony for former premier Shinzo Abe.

Kishida has been criticized for pushing for Tuesday's formal state funeral for Abe, who was assassinated in July, amid questions over their ruling Liberal Democratic Party's (LDP) close ties with the Unification Church — which is accused of brainwashing its adherents — and doubts over the legitimacy of a state event with links to pre-World War 2 imperial Japan.