(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 8th – Special Dispatch) A bronze statue of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was officially unveiled today in Anan Town, Nagano Prefecture, becoming the first such statue in Japan. Abe's widow, Akie Abe, and House of Councillors member Ishi Taira attended the ceremony. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a congratulatory message, stating, "I will inherit the will of former Prime Minister Abe and work with all my might to repay his kindness."

According to the Sankei Shimbun, the statue is erected next to the local "Abe Shrine." It stands approximately 1.8 meters tall, nearly life-size, on a 1-meter-high pedestal. The statue depicts Abe holding a microphone in his left hand and thrusting his right fist forward, recreating his classic street-speech pose during election campaigns.

While a statue of Abe had already been erected in Taiwan, this is the first in Japan. The project was initiated by a local citizens' committee and funded through crowdfunding. Hisao Miyajima, the head of the executive committee, expressed gratitude, saying, "Thanks to the support from all quarters, we were able to successfully complete the statue."

After the unveiling ceremony, Akie Abe remarked emotionally, "My husband often said that Japan cannot progress without the development of its regions. I am very happy to be able to open a new future from this land, and I hope to continue to water and fertilize the seeds he planted, passing on his will."

Taiwan had already established a commemorative statue of Shinzo Abe in 2022, which was the first statue of the former prime minister.

The Hongmaogang Bao'an Temple in Fengshan District, Kaohsiung, which has deep ties with Japan, set up a memorial venue for public mourning after Abe's assassination. It unveiled a bronze statue of Abe and a commemorative stone tablet inscribed with his handwritten message "Taiwan Jiayou" (Go Taiwan) in September 2022. The statue, co-created by sculptors Zhou Ruiming and Ye Jincheng, has become an important symbol of public mourning for Abe in Taiwan. (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150608

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  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: Event