Скачать или смотреть JAPAN: KEISO OBUCHI DIES IN COMA (2)

(15 May 2000) Japanese/English

Senior Japanese politicians braved a driving rain to attend the wake of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Monday.

But the ruling party faced criticism over plans to hold a state funeral shortly before national elections next month.

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

Newly elected Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and former Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto led a procession of solemn-faced dignitaries.

They gathered in an evening downpour to attend a vigil for Obuchi at a Tokyo funeral home.

Former U-N Undersecretary Yasushi Akashi was among the mourners.

He said that Obuchi was real Japanese leader and very balanced politician.

SOUNDBITE (English)
"He was a Japanese style leader, very self efficient, but he knew what he was doing and he was good, well balanced political leader for Japan"
SUPERCAPTION: Yasushi Akashi, Former UN Undersecretary

The British ambassador to Japan also paid tribute to the former Japanese Prime Minister.

SOUNDBITE (English)
"He's role was very clear appreciated in the U-K, both on the international stage and for what he was done in Japan. The British government feels extremely sad and I share in the grief of Japan in his death"
SUPERCAPTION: Steven Gomersall, British Ambassador to Japan

Opposition leaders also agree that Obuchi will be sadly missed.

SOUNDBITE (Japanese)
"My heart aches for his death. I felt the utmost sadness looking at his portrait at the alter. I wish the peace for his soul from the bottom of my heart."
SUPERCAPTION: Yukio Hatoyama, Leader of Democratic Party

But, some opposition lawmakers accused the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of trying to turn public sympathy for Obuchi into votes for L-D-P candidates.

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

Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki announced on Monday morning that an official funeral would be held on June 8, less than three weeks before national elections.

They have been tentatively scheduled for June 25.

Aoki dismissed the criticism and said the possibility of attracting a sympathy vote was wasn't taken into consideration before planning the funeral.

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 the first of June.

A private funeral was scheduled for Tuesday.

Whatever its motivation, the ruling party was likely to receive an electoral boost from a public inclined to share the pain of Obuchi's death, analysts said.

The L-D-P scored one of its biggest-ever victories at the polls in June 1980, 10 days after then-Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira died.

But the party may have to answer lingering questions about how its leadership reacted to the crisis provoked by Obuchi illness.

Aoki and other L-D-P chiefs have come under fire for trying to cover up the gravity of Obuchi's condition after he collapsed on April 2, and for choosing his successor behind closed doors.

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