KAOHSIUNG (TVBS News) — Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's widow, Akie Abe, paid a visit to Hongmaogang Bao'an Temple in Fengshan District, Kaohsiung, on Tuesday (July 18), where she offered a heartfelt tribute and laid flowers in front of her late husband's statue.
The tragic assassination of Shinzo Abe in Nara on July 8, 2022, has deeply shocked the world and left an indelible mark on the hearts of his loved ones. At the sight of her husband's statue, Akie Abe couldn't help but shed tears multiple times during her remarks.
Akie Abe expressed her gratitude for Taiwan's heartfelt gesture of erecting her husband's statue ahead of his state funeral, which took place on September 27, 2022, emphasizing its profound significance to her.
"Unfortunately, I'm standing here without my husband by my side. However, I firmly believe that his spirit accompanies me. Thank you all," expressed Akie Abe.
Shinzo Abe was a steadfast ally of Taiwan, and Akie Abe revealed that he had plans to visit Taiwan once the pandemic was over. Thus, she sees her current visit fulfilling her late husband's wish.
Chen Chu, the President of the Control Yuan, remarked, "Taiwan faces various threats and challenges, and Mr. Abe, who openly stated that 'when Taiwan is in trouble, Japan is also in trouble,' consistently stood by our side."
Akie Abe highlighted that her visit to Taiwan again exemplifies the friendship between Taiwan and Japan. She views this visit as a representation of carrying her husband's love forward and upholding Shinzo Abe's political ideals, all to foster a robust Taiwan-Japan friendship.