“Deeply Moved”: Ex-Japan PM's Wife Gets Emotional At Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor

Akie Abe, wife of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said she was “deeply moved and grateful” after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and she jointly inaugurated the ‘Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor’ at the Rudraksh Convention Centre in Varanasi.

“I am deeply moved and grateful to everyone for this memorial corridor and for naming it after my husband... Seeing this place brought back memories of my husband’s visit here,” Akie Abe said at the ceremony on Wednesday.

She thanked Yogi Adityanath for dedicating the corridor to Shinzo Abe and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India for inviting her to the event.

“I was very happy to be invited to participate in this event,” she said.

RECALLING SHINZO ABE’S VARANASI VISIT

Akie Abe recalled her late husband’s 2015 visit to Varanasi, when he accompanied Prime Minister Modi and witnessed the Ganga Aarti in Kashi.

She said it had long been her wish to visit Varanasi and experience the city and its traditions herself, adding that the visit had fulfilled that dream.

Drawing a cultural parallel between Varanasi and Kyoto, she noted that Varanasi was originally known as Kashi and pointed out that both Kashi and Kyoto are ancient cities whose names begin with the letter “K”.

Akie Abe also recalled Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to the development of the Rudraksh Convention Centre and spoke about the significance of the 108 symbolic Rudrakshas on its exterior walls.

She said the number 108 also holds significance in Japan, where Buddhist temple bells are traditionally rung 108 times on the last day of December, symbolising the 108 human afflictions or evils.

Akie Abe became emotional while recalling the close relationship between Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Modi.

YOGI HIGHLIGHTS INDIA-JAPAN TIES

Addressing the gathering, Yogi Adityanath said the memorial corridor symbolises the strategic, cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Japan.

He credited Shinzo Abe with playing an important role in strengthening bilateral relations and highlighted Japan’s contribution to India’s infrastructure, technology, transportation and economic development.

Yogi said nearly 1,400 Japanese companies are operating in India and pointed to Japanese cooperation in major infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Rail Corridor and metro projects.

He also said a 500-acre ‘Japan City’ is being developed near Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh to facilitate Japanese investment.

The Chief Minister said a dedicated ‘Yamanashi Desk’ has been established at Invest UP to assist Japanese investors. He added that Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture are jointly developing a green hydrogen pilot project.

Recalling Shinzo Abe’s contribution to India-Japan relations, Yogi noted that the former Japanese Prime Minister was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2021.

He also said 2027 will mark 75 years of India-Japan diplomatic relations.

The Rudraksh Convention Centre, which was constructed with Japanese assistance and inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in 2021, also features a photo gallery showcasing Shinzo Abe’s December 2015 visit to Varanasi and his participation in the Ganga Aarti.

With inputs from ANI