As the world mourns the death of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, netizens have uncovered precious footage of the politician visiting Hong Kong to attend singer-turned-educationalist Agnes Chan’s wedding 36 years ago.
The Hong Kong-born singer, who began promoting in Japan in the 1970s, married her former manager Tsutomu Kaneko in 1986 at the Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Mid-Levels.
Abe, who was classmates with Kaneko during their university days, was the best man at the wedding.
According to current affairs commentator Poon Siu-to, Abe had been a fan of Chan, who is known for hits including “The Circle Game” and “Poppy Flower”, since the 1970s.
She also invited the former prime minister to the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of her debut in 2003.
In a recent Facebook post, Chan said she had been friends with Abe for many years, and felt very sad, angry and in pain.
“Our whole family doesn’t know how to accept this reality,” she said.
“I hope Mr. Abe rests in peace.”
She also thanked him for supporting and encouraging them through the years and hoped that his wife would take care of her health.
Many netizens also expressed sadness at Abe’s passing and offered condolences to his wife.
“I met Mr. Abe at a Tokyo bus station several years ago. He is very nice. He even told me to enjoy my trip in Tokyo,” said a Facebook user who appears to be a Hongkonger.
Separately, the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong has opened a book of condolence for Abe on the 46/F in One Exchange Square in Central. People who want to offer their condolences can go there from 10am to 4pm today (July 12).
The consulate-general noted that there will be identity checks upon entering the consulate and that it is unable to accept any commemorative flowers.
Alternatively, the consulate-general is also welcoming messages of condolence via email that are sent today to infojp@hn.mofa.go.jp with the subject line of “Condolences: Former PM Abe”.
