A report on hearings by the government from experts on the "state funeral" of former Prime Minister Abe has been released.
On the one hand, there are affirmative arguments that there was a certain significance in the state's treatment of a former prime minister who left behind achievements, but on the other hand, there is a negative opinion that the expression of condolences should be decided by individuals and left conflict and strife among the people. Opinions are divided into two points of contention.
Regarding the "state funeral" of former Prime Minister Abe in September, the government will interview 21 experts in various fields such as constitution and administrative law from October to this month in order to verify the background. The results were published as a report on the 22nd.
[Significance of implementing a “state funeral”]
While there are affirmative arguments that there was a certain significance in the nation's courtesy toward a former prime minister who made great achievements, and that there was a certain significance for the people to come together to remember Mr. Abe, individuals should decide whether to express condolences. Negative opinions were expressed that the negative legacies that only conflicts and strife remain among the people have been created.
[Legal Basis]
While there was an opinion that it is an exercise of administrative power and does not require a legal basis and can be carried out based on a cabinet decision, another opinion was expressed that it is an important matter in a democratic society and that a legal basis is necessary.
[Relationship with the Diet]
▽While there was an opinion that the Cabinet should do so at its own discretion and that explanations to the Diet could be made after the fact, ▽an opinion was expressed that it would be desirable for the Diet to be involved in advance in order to obtain a broad consensus.
Based on the report, the government will consider how to respond, such as whether to set rules for the implementation of "national funerals" in the future.
This year's report includes the following issues: "Relationship between the legal basis and the Constitution," "Significance of implementation," "Relationship with the Diet," "People's understanding," "Target audience," "Appropriateness of costs and scale," and "Others." The opinions of experts are organized for each.
Of these, the legal basis, the significance of implementation, and issues other than the relationship with the Diet.
[How to judge who is eligible for a “state funeral”]
▽ There were opinions that it is difficult to formulate rules and that a flexible response according to each case is necessary, and ▽ that some standards should be established by agreement between the ruling and opposition parties.
[Appropriateness of cost and scale]
▽ While there was no problem with the use of contingency funds and within the scope of the prescribed expenses, there was a positive opinion that it was a reasonable scale. A negative opinion was expressed that a certain amount of spending should be required from the government and the political parties to which they belong.
[What kind of process should we go through to gain public understanding?]
▽While there was an opinion that the explanations given by the government at daily press conferences were appropriate and natural, ▽The public did not have an image of a ``state funeral'' and a sense of distrust arose, so the ceremony and details were carefully considered. There was also an opinion that it should have been explained to
[“Other” issues]
Concerning the postponement of the Cabinet's approval to ask each ministry and ministry to raise a mourning flag and express condolences through a moment of silence at the time of the "national funeral," while there was an opinion that it was appropriate to express condolences from individuals, ▽ as a country There was also an opinion that it was inappropriate not to ask for cooperation with a "state funeral", which means the highest courtesy.
“National Funeral” cost “approximate figure” also announced, lower than the forecast amount
Along with the publication of the report, the government also announced a rough figure that the cost of this "national funeral" was more than 1,199 million yen.
In October this year, we had shown a forecast of mid-1.2 billion yen as a preliminary figure, but it was below this.
The government plans to announce the final figures around autumn next year.
Chief Cabinet Secretary ``We were able to organize various and wide-ranging opinions''
At a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "I believe that we have been able to organize the points of discussion by having the experts present a wide variety of opinions from their respective professional standpoints."
After that, "I would like to deliver the summary of the issues this time to the Diet in some way, but I think that the handling will be considered by the Diet. At this time, I will not make any predictions about the future schedule or the way certain rules should be. I would like to continue to consider what procedures should be followed based on the summary of points of discussion."