When we interviewed 67 local governments, including prefectures and ordinance-designated cities, about whether to express condolences at the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe on the 27th of next week, more than 80% of the 57 local governments lowered their flags to half-staff. Two local governments answered that they would raise it and that they would not show condolences.
On the other hand, eight local governments are "under consideration."
Over 80% of prefectures and ordinance-designated cities raise flags at half-staff or mourning flags
Regarding the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe, the government decided not to ask local governments and boards of education to express condolences, saying that ``we do not ask for condolences from each citizen,'' and the response is left to each local government.
NHK interviewed a total of 67 municipalities, including 47 prefectures and 20 ordinance-designated cities, about their responses on the day of the national funeral, and summarized them as of the afternoon of the 22nd.
When asked if they planned to show condolences at government buildings, 57 municipalities, including 45 prefectures and 12 cities, answered that they would raise flags at half-staff or mourning flags.
There were two local governments that did not indicate.
Eight local governments, including Fukuoka Prefecture and Nagoya City, said they were "under consideration."
Local governments that are "under consideration" said, "We would like to make a decision based on the trends of other local governments," and "We will refer to past examples, but we must be cautious in light of recent circumstances." It seems that they are still struggling with how to respond to the voice of the state funeral, while the opinions are divided.
On the other hand, when asked if the board of education would issue a notice regarding the expression of condolences, only Yamaguchi Prefecture, Mr. Abe's hometown, answered that it would. is "undecided".
More than 90% of the top prefectures and ordinance-designated cities attended
I also asked the heads of prefectures and ordinance-designated cities whether they would attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe.
According to NHK's coverage, all 47 prefectures and 20 ordinance-designated cities out of 67 municipalities have received invitations from the government.
Of these, 43 prefectural governors and 19 mayors, a total of 62 local government heads, answered that they would attend.
At a press conference on the 9th of this month, Governor Koike of Tokyo, who said he would participate, said, "I have dealt with various policies together with Mr. Abe. I want to go,” he said.
Governor Suzuki of Hokkaido said, "I am aware that there are various opinions," and said, "I agree that the people should have an opportunity to express their condolences in some way."
Mayor Tanabe of Shizuoka City has indicated his intention to attend at his own expense, saying, ``I will not spend public money while there are various opinions.''
On the other hand, five municipalities, Okinawa Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, Miyazaki Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, and Sagamihara City, answered that they would not attend.
Regarding the reason for his absence, Shizuoka Governor Kawakatsu said, "I went to the site where Mr. Abe was shot in late July and offered sincere condolences as the prefectural governor. I have already expressed my condolences and will not attend again." increase.
Governor Abe of Nagano Prefecture said, "To attend the memorial ceremony for the victims of the eruption of Mt.
Governor Kono of Miyazaki Prefecture has announced that he will not participate in the state funeral to deal with the restoration of Typhoon No. 14.
Response of Tokyo 23 wards
Regarding the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe, the government decided not to ask local governments and boards of education to express condolences, saying that ``we do not ask for condolences from each citizen,'' and the response is left to each local government.
NHK asked if they planned to express their condolences to the 23 wards of Tokyo on the same day.
As a result, Chiyoda Ward, Sumida Ward, Adachi Ward, and Katsushika Ward responded by raising their flags at half-staff and saying, "Show condolences."
Adachi Ward plans to raise the flag at half-mast at the main building of the ward office and the facilities of the ward, saying, ``Since the country has decided to hold a state funeral, it is necessary to show condolences as an administrative agency.''
On the other hand, 11 wards answered that they did not express condolences.
Regarding the reason for this, Suginami Ward said, "Even if you look at various public opinion polls, I don't think the public's consent has been obtained. Issues such as the development of laws and the investment of national funds have also been pointed out." I want to prevent new divisions from occurring in the midst of division."
In addition, he answered that he was "under consideration" because he could not decide on the remaining eight wards.
As for the reasons, they said, ``With the people's approval and disapproval of the state funeral, I want to make a decision after watching the response of other local governments until the last minute,'' and ``There is no notification from the government.''
None of the 23 wards asked residents or staff to observe silence.
Public Opinion Divided About State Funerals
Public opinion is divided greatly about this state funeral.
In a poll conducted by NHK for three days from the 9th of this month, when the government asked the government to evaluate the "state funeral" of former Prime Minister Abe on the 27th of this month, ▽ "evaluate" 32%, ▽ 57% answered “do not evaluate”.
Furthermore, when asked if they thought the government's explanation of the state funeral was sufficient, 15% said it was "sufficient" and 72% said it was "insufficient."
Some local governments in Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture have passed written opinions opposing state funerals in their parliaments.
Of these, the Kamakura City Council in Kanagawa Prefecture voted in favor of a written opinion calling for the withdrawal of the state funeral.
In the written opinion, ``Since there is no clear legal basis for a state funeral, if a state funeral is to be held, it should be discussed thoroughly in the Diet. and
The National City Council in Tokyo also voted in favor of a written opinion calling for the cancellation of the state funeral.
The written opinion calls for the cancellation of the state funeral, etc., stating that the decision without going through the Diet deliberations is unacceptable due to disrespect of the Diet and will lead to forced condolence.
Experts: “Explain what kind of thinking you use to judge”
Tatsushi Mayama, a professor at the Faculty of Policy Studies at Doshisha University who specializes in public administration and is familiar with local autonomy, said of the local governments that made the decision to express their condolences, ``Since residents will either agree or disagree with the decision, local governments will be able to support it. I am very interested in how you explain it.I would like you to explain, even after the fact, how you decided to express your condolences and attend."
Regarding the majority of local governments attending the state funeral, he said, ``I think they made a safe decision that it would be better to attend in terms of their relationship with the country.''
On the other hand, regarding the fact that several local governments have not decided whether to express their condolences, he said, ``There may be criticism that flags will not be raised at half-mast, and public opinion opposing state funerals must be respected. Local governments are sensitive to public opinion and the sense of incongruity that residents have, so I think that's why they hesitate to make decisions."
On the other hand, regarding the national government, which entrusted the decision to local governments, he said, "The government has said that it will provide a sufficient explanation in advance, but in fact it may not have been able to explain much. The circumstances leading to the state funeral, the legal basis, and the problem of financial resources. If the process of making important policy decisions is clarified, it will be easier for local governments to make decisions.
Minamisanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture "I don't think all the townspeople have the same feeling, but I feel sorry for the reconstruction support"
On the 27th of this month, when former Prime Minister Abe's "state funeral" will be held, the town of Minamisanriku in Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake 11 years ago, will raise the flag at half-mast at the town hall to show condolences.
The town of Minamisanriku was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, killing more than 800 people and destroying more than 3,000 houses.
According to Mayor Hitoshi Sato, who has been the mayor of the town since the time of the earthquake, in October 2011, seven months after the earthquake, former Prime Minister Abe, who was an opposition party, held a "Fukko Market" in the town for reconstruction. I mean you visited.
On this day, former Prime Minister Abe changed the original schedule, which was scheduled to be rounded up in the morning, and continued to interact with the townspeople in the afternoon.
The following year, in 2012, even after becoming prime minister, he visited Minamisanriku almost every year. I knew," he recalled.
With this in mind, he decided to fly the flag at half-mast as a town.
On the other hand, Mayor Sato commented on the divided opinion of holding a state funeral, saying, "If you imagine, you should have understood that there would be objections, and former Prime Minister Abe himself also said that the public is divided in this way. "I don't think all the residents of Minamisanriku feel the same way, but considering that they received a lot of support for reconstruction, the town would like to express its condolences." I want to show you," he said.
Shima City, Mie Prefecture "I would like to pay my respects to the effort to hold the summit"
On the 27th of this month, when former Prime Minister Abe's "state funeral" will be held, Shima City, Mie Prefecture, which was the venue for the G7 Ise-Shima Summit held six years ago, decided to raise the flag at half-mast at the city hall to show condolences. increase.
The G7 Ise-Shima Summit was held in May 2016 at a hotel in Kashikojima, Shima City, Mie Prefecture, chaired by former Prime Minister Abe.
Masakichi Hashizume, the mayor of Shima City, was serving as the vice chairman of the local tourism association at the time, and immediately after former Prime Minister Abe announced that the Ise-Shima Summit would be held, he and the mayors at the time broke Kusudama. celebrated the decision.
In an interview with NHK, Mayor Hashizume commented on the impact of the Ise-Shima Summit on the local community, saying, ``The city's name recognition and brand power have increased, and the economic effect on tourism has been very large. It's happening,' he said.
After that, he said, "I would like to express my respect to former Prime Minister Abe for his great efforts in holding the summit, and the benefits to the city are also very great." was explained as indicating
Regarding the decision to express condolences, Mayor Hashizume said, ``I think there are different ways to receive it, but former Prime Minister Abe was a big presence for Shima City. I want to pray from the bottom of my heart that he rests in peace."
Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture "Many national unrest without discussion in the Diet"
Governor Tamaki of Okinawa Prefecture has indicated that he will not attend.
In addition, there are no plans to take measures such as raising the flag at half-staff at the prefectural office.
The reason for this is that Governor Tamaki sent a telegram of condolence to the funeral of former Prime Minister Abe in July, and raised the flag at half-mast at the main government building of the prefecture, so the prefecture has already expressed his condolences. .
At a press conference on the 22nd, Governor Tamaki said, ``I have decided not to attend this national funeral,'' and about the fact that the evaluation of holding a ``national funeral'' is divided. said, ``I think the lack of careful explanations and discussions in the Diet is one form of anxiety that many people feel.''