Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to hold a news conference Wednesday to explain his decision to hold a controversial state funeral next month for slain former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the top government spokesman said.
Kishida, who has been working remotely from his official residence since he was found to be infected with COVID-19 on Aug. 21, is scheduled to return to work on Wednesday.
"The prime minister wants to explain (his decision) using various occasions," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno at a news conference Tuesday, when asked whether Kishida would attend parliamentary committee sessions regarding the state funeral as requested by the main opposition party.