Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed leads UAE delegation at funeral of Shinzo Abe

UAE delegation pays respects to former Japan prime minister, who was fatally shot while delivering a speech in July

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  Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, has led the UAE delegation attending the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. All photos: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

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  Sheikh Khaled at the funeral.

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  He was accompanied by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE special envoy to Japan, and Shehab Al Fahim, UAE ambassador to Japan.

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  Sheikh Khaled was also joined by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation.

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  The UAE delegation among mourners at the state funeral in Tokyo.

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  The UAE has been one of Japan's main suppliers of oil for the past half a century, today providing 20 per cent of its oil needs.

A UAE delegation led by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, attended the state funeral of assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Sheikh Khaled was joined by political leaders and heads of state from around the world, including US Vice President Kamala Harris, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad, at the service.

He offered condolences on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

Sheikh Khaled met Akie Abe, the widow of the late leader, and family members to extend his sympathies.

Abe was delivering a speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was fatally shot on July 8. It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese prime minister since the 1930s. He was 67.

Hours before the ceremony began, dozens of people carrying bouquets queued at public flower-laying stands at nearby Kudanzaka park.

Abe played a key role in bolstering ties between the UAE and Japan during his tenure, Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

“This included the signing of a large-scale strategic partnership agreement during his visit to the UAE in 2018 to further strengthen co-operation between the two countries and advance strategic partnerships across various fields,” a media office statement said.

Sheikh Khaled was accompanied by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Shehab Ahmed Al Fahim, UAE ambassador to Japan, as well as a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Shinzo Abe state funeral — in pictures

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  Guests stand at the start of the state funeral of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Abe died at the age of 67 after being shot while campaigning in July. AFP

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  Abe's widow Akie carries her husband's ashes during the funeral. Protests opposing it have taken place across Japan for the longest-serving leader in its modern history and one of the most divisive. Getty Images

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  Members of an honour guard carry Abe's ashes during his funeral. Abe was delivering a speech near a train station in the western city of Nara when he was shot dead by an assailant on July 8. It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese prime minister since the 1930s. AP

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  Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, leads the UAE delegation at the funeral. He was accompanied by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and UAE ambassador to Japan, Shehab Al Fahim, as well as a number of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation. Photo: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

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  India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi after offering flowers during the funeral. EPA

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  US Vice President Kamala Harris is among the foreign dignitaries at the funeral. Reuters

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  Japan's Crown Prince Akishino, right, and Crown Princess Kiko pay their respects during Abe's final farewell. EPA

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  Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for the funeral. Getty Images

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  Britain's former prime minister Theresa May arrives for the funeral. Getty Images

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  Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (C) arrives for the funeral. AFP

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  Members of Japan's Ground Self-Defence Force take part in a 19-gun salute for the funeral. AFP

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  Protesters attend a rally outside Japan's parliament building as they demonstrate against the funeral. Opponents of the state-sponsored funeral, which has its roots in pre-war imperial ceremonies, say taxpayers’ money should be spent on more meaningful causes, such as addressing widening economic disparities caused by Abe’s policies. Reuters

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  People gather outside the National Diet Building to protest against the funeral. Getty Images

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  A woman holds a placard during a protest against the funeral. Getty Images

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  People leave flowers and pay their respects to Abe in Tokyo. AFP

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  The queue to leave flowers at a park near the Nippon Budokan, where Abe's funeral was held. Getty

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  A woman cries during an interview after leaving flowers. AFP

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  An altar was set up with Abe's picture outside the funeral venue. Reuters

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  Several current and former heads of state are in Japan for the funeral. Getty

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  Security is tight at an altar set up for Abe. AFP

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  Police officers stand guard in Tokyo during a protest against the funeral. Reuters

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  People make clear their feelings about the state funeral. Reuters

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  A police officer prepares to close a gate on a road near the funeral venue, Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Getty

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  The funeral venue the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. AP