In Pics | World leaders attend Shinzo Abe's state funeral in Tokyo

The state funeral for former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed during an election campaign speech in July, was held in Tokyo on September 27. From US Vice President Kamala Harris to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders and officials from around the world, attended the state funeral. The ceremony started at 2 pm local time (0500 GMT), with Abe's ashes carried into the Nippon Budokan Hall in central Tokyo by his widow, Akie, to music from a military band and the booms of the honour-guard salute.

With flowers, prayers and a 19-gun salute, Japan honoured its slain former prime minister Shinzo Abe at the first state funeral for a former premier in 55 years. Credit: AFP Photo

The ceremony started at 2 pm local (0500 GMT) with Abe's ashes carried into the Nippon Budokan Hall in central Tokyo by his widow, Akie, to music from a military band and the booms of the honour-guard salute. Credit: Reuters Photo

Thousands of mourners flooded the funeral venue, forcing organisers to open the hall half-an-hour early. Credit: AFP Photo

Within hours, about 10,000 people had laid flowers and bowed in silent prayer before Abe's picture, with many more waiting in long queues. Credit: AFP Photo

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida bows during the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: Reuters Photo

Japan's Princess Takamado and her daughter Princess Tsuguko at the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

US Vice President Kamala Harris at the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: Reuters Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen interacting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo. Credit: AP Photo

France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy attends the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: Reuters Photo

President of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc during the state funeral of Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: Reuters Photo

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen at the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attends the state funeral of Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo

Visitors during the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Credit: AFP Photo