Chinese Vice-Premier Arrives for Obuchi's FuneralVice Premier Qian Qichen, as the special envoy of the Chinese government, arrived Tokyo Wednesday to attend Thursday's official funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.During his stay, Qian is expected to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and other leaders of Japanese political parties and businesses. A total of 86 countries, regions and international organizations are expected to send representatives, including heads of state, heads of government, cabinet ministers and parliamentary leaders, to Tokyo for the June 8 official funeral for Obuchi, who died on May 14, six weeks after falling into a coma following a stroke. Obuchi's funeral is organized by the Japanese government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). |
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