The state funeral for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to cost 1.66 billion yen, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Tuesday.
The bulk of the money, some 1.41 billion yen, will be spent on security and hospitality.
The government has already decided to spend 249.4 million yen from its reserve fund on the funeral, which is slated to be held at the Nippon Budokan arena in Tokyo on Sept. 27.
Speaking at a press conference, Matsuno said police security will cost about 800 million yen: 500 million yen in travel expenses to dispatch prefectural police officers and 300 million yen to rent vehicles and equipment.
Reception-related expenses for visiting dignitaries and other guests are expected to total about 600 million yen: 500 million yen for transport and vehicles, and 100 million yen to cover travel expenses for overseas Japanese diplomats temporarily returning to Japan for the event. In addition, about 10 million yen will be spent to hire vehicles for the Self-Defense Forces' honor guard.
"More than 190 delegates from overseas will attend, of which about 50 are expected to be high-level, as well as other delegations that will require special treatment," Matsuno said.
Touching on the disclosure in advance of security and other expenses, he said, "We'll continue to strive to gain the understanding of the public through careful explanations."
Matsuno also announced that former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga will deliver a eulogy as a representative of Abe's friends. There will also be speeches by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and others.
According to a summary overview of the funeral, up to 6,000 people are expected to attend, including current and former lawmakers, foreign dignitaries and representatives of local governments.
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