Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral as it happened

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's assassinator will have a mental health evaluation done. According to the reports, the test should be finished by the end of November. The suspect will not be questioned further during the mental assessment. The assessment will be used by prosecutors to decide if Yamagami can be held criminally liable before deciding whether or not to indict him, according to the reports.

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Japan on Tuesday fired cannons to commemorate assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years. As Abe's ashes were carried into the Nippon Budokan Hall in central Tokyo by his widow Akie, Japan's Self-Defense Forces fired a 19-gun salute at a park near the venue for the state funeral.

Hundreds of protesters marched on the streets of Tokyo on Tuesday (September 29), hours before a state funeral held to honour assassinated former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe began. Protesters were seen holding up signs and chanting "no state funeral" to the tune of a guitar. A rally was also held at a park, where protesters addressed a crowd under the watch of policemen.

People in Tokyo offered floral tributes and bid their final farewell to assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday (September 27) ahead of his controversial rare state funeral which has split Japan. Thousands of people queued patiently outside Nippon Budokan in the capital city, waiting to bow and pray in front of Abe's portrait at an altar.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States Vice President Kamala Harris both paid their respects at the state funeral for former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. 

The world leaders from various countries paid their respect by leaving flowers at the ceremonial stage.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko are absent from the funeral ceremony. As per Japanese tradition, it is customary for emperors to not attend funerals within the country or abroad, local media house Japan Times reported. But they were represented at Abe's funeral by imperial envoys and Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. 

Former Japanese PM Yoshihide Suga in his speech on the occasion, praised Abe's achievements as a politician. Suga worked closely with Abe in his prime ministerial team for over seven years.

Suga mentioned his contributions in relations with North Korea and spearheading a campaign calling for the return of abducted Japanese people.

He also noted Abe's leadership on foreign policy deals like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. "Thank you so much for all you have done. May you rest in peace."

With flowers, prayers and a 19-gun salute, Japan honoured slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years. The ceremony started at 2:00 pm local time (10:30 am IST), with Abe's ashes carried into the Nippon Budokan Hall in central Tokyo by his widow, Akie, to music from a military band and the booms of the honour-guard salute.

Current Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, is delivering a eulogy to Abe.

Mourners are watching a video tribute to Abe which features key moments from his career. It also features an instrumental track played by the ex-PM. A whole section on Abe's standing as a world leader and his concerted foreign policy efforts were also present in the video.

The funeral ceremony will begin at 2 pm local time (10:30 am IST). People have been leaving floral arrangements and other condolences at designated stands since morning. Up to 1,000 soldiers will take part in ceremonial responsibilities. To honour Abe, a military honour guard will salute him with 19 empty cannon shots.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. Albanese told Kishida that it was "important" for Australia to express its condolences to Japan in the wake of the passing of Abe, well-known for his role in creating the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida and expressed his 'deepest condolences' on ahead of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral on Tuesday (September 27).

Japan will honour on Tuesday its assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a polarising figure who dominated modern-day politics as its longest-serving leader.