TOKYO, September 22. /TASS/. Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy is expected to attend former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral on September 27, the Japanese Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.
"So far, we have received messages of intention to attend the ceremony from representatives of 217 countries, regions and international organizations," Japan’s Foreign Ministry said. Shvydkoy’s name is listed as a Russian guest.
Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, said on Thursday 35 foreign leaders and 14 former heads of state would be present. Among other people, the partial list of guests published by Japan’s MFA earlier on Thursday, also includes US Vice President Kamala Harris, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian PM Anthony Albanese, President of the European Council Charles Michel, Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau, as well as several former politicians, including ex-UK Prime Minister Theresa May and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Not a single Chinese official has been invited.
