Japan: a man sets himself on fire near to protest against the funeral of Shinzo Abe

Police and firefighters at the scene where a man set himself on fire to protest the state funeral of Shinzo Abe, in Tokyo, September 21, 2022. © AP

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2 mins

A man set himself on fire in Tokyo, near the Japanese prime minister's office, to protest against the controversial state funeral of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, scheduled for September 27.

According to media reports, the man was taken to hospital unconscious.

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With our correspondent in Tokyo,

For now, the police, government and media in Tokyo are treating the self-immolation as an isolated act.

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

Nothing is known about the man in his 70s, who was unconscious when he was discovered near Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office.

Next to him he left a letter which reads: " 

 " the funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

At the hospital, he told police that he intentionally doused his body with gasoline.

► To read also: Shinzo Abe: the most famous of the Prime Ministers of Japan assassinated

The majority of Japanese are opposed to this tribute which will be paid next week to Shinzo Abe.

Demonstrations are expected in the days leading up to the ceremony.

On July 8, the former prime minister was

by Tetsuya Yamagami who blamed him for his

, known as the Moon sect.

The assassin accused the sect of having ruined his family.

Shinzo Abe, frowned upon by many Japanese

Considered a nationalist and a revisionist, Shinzo Abe was frowned upon by many Japanese.

The latter also did not appreciate his desire to revise the pacifist Constitution to restore the country's right to belligerence.

For decades, the ruling conservative party has cooperated with the Moon sect known for its anti-communism, especially during elections.

Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is being blamed for his inability to sever ties with the religious group.

Half of his party's parliamentarians and several members of his government are still linked to the sect.

The other criticism is the cost to taxpayers of these state funerals: 12 million euros, probably two to three times more in reality.

Several foreign leaders are expected, including US Vice President Kamala Harris.

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• Japan

• Shinzo Abe

• Fumio Kishida