Hundreds protesters of protesters rallied in a park in Tokyo on Friday 23 September to demand that cancellation of plans for a state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Mr Abe, the country's longest-serving leader, was fatally shot at an outdoor campaign speech in July in the city of Nara.

Protesters accused the hawkish Mr Abe of having pro-war policies, noting his efforts to raise defence spending and revise the country’s pacifist constitution.

Critics also accuse him of having close ties to the controversial Unification Church, which critics call a cult. The man accused of murdering Mr Abe is said to have said he did so because his mother bankrupted his family with excessive donations to the Church.

The state funeral is due to take place next Tuesday and will be attended by dignitaries and VIPs from around the world.

This footage was filmed and produced 23 September 2022.

Several hundred protesters in Tokyo are calling for the cancelling of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe's state funeral. The country's longest-serving leader was fatally shot at an outdoor campaign in July in the city of Nara.

Protesters dubbed Mr Abe's policies as pro-war, noting his consistent efforts to raise defence spending and his close ties to the controversial Unification Church, which critics call a cult. The state funeral will take place next Tuesday, but protesters are calling for it to be cancelled.

The video shows protesters gatheringin a Tokyo park to denounce the state funeral planned for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.