Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held a series of meetings with foreign dignitaries Monday in what he's called “funeral diplomacy" the day before he hosts a controversial state-sponsored ceremony for former leader Shinzo Abe.
Kishida has been criticized for pushing for Tuesday's formal state funeral for Abe, who was assassinated in July, amid questions over their ruling party's close ties with the Unification Church, accused of brainwashing its adherents, and doubts over the legitimacy of a state event with links to prewar imperial Japan.
