Party’s Timing of Obuchi Rites Draws Criticism

As senior Japanese politicians attended the wake of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, the ruling party faced criticism Monday over plans to hold a state funeral shortly before national elections next month.

Newly elected Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto led a procession of solemn-faced dignitaries who gathered in an evening downpour to attend a vigil for Obuchi at a Tokyo funeral home.

Obuchi died at a Tokyo hospital Sunday after a stroke six weeks ago left him comatose. He was 62.

The wake was held hours after the government’s chief spokesman found himself forced to defend the timing of a state funeral.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki announced Monday morning that an official funeral will be held June 8, less than three weeks before national elections tentatively scheduled for June 25.

As many as 5,000 guests, including foreign dignitaries, are to be invited to the funeral, Aoki said.

Some opposition lawmakers accused the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of trying to turn public sympathy for Obuchi into votes for LDP candidates.

Aoki dismissed the criticism and calls for the funeral to be held after the elections. He said the possibility of attracting a sympathy vote was “never taken into consideration.”

Officials said they wanted to hold the state funeral as soon as possible after the return to Japan of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, who will be visiting Europe from May 20 through June 1. A private funeral was scheduled for today.