Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Akie Abe Gets Emotional at Shinzo Abe Memorial in Varanasi
Akie Abe visited Varanasi for a memorial honoring her late husband, Shinzo Abe.
She became emotional while remembering his visit to India in 2015.
During that visit, he attended the Ganga Aarti with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Akie thanked Modi and the people of India for the memorial.
She also talked about similarities between Varanasi and Kyoto in Japan.
The memorial corridor was opened at the Rudraksh Convention Centre.
Officials said India and Japan work together on businesses and infrastructure projects.
The countries will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor at Varanasi’s Rudraksh Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Akie Abe thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and people in India, recalling her late husband’s 2015 visit and his Ganga Aarti with Modi.
She spoke about cultural similarities between Varanasi and Kyoto, and the significance of the centre’s 108 Rudraksh beads.
Yogi Adityanath said about 1,400 Japanese companies operate in India and cited cooperation on rail, metro, Japan City and green hydrogen projects.
The event comes ahead of the 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations in 2027; Shinzo Abe received the Padma Vibhushan in 2021.
- Who
- Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the memorial; Akie Abe recalled her late husband, Shinzo Abe.
- What
- The Shinzo Abe Memorial Corridor was inaugurated, with Akie Abe expressing gratitude and remembering her husband.
- When
- Wednesday; the articles do not specify a date.
- Where
- Rudraksh Convention Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Why
- The corridor was dedicated to Shinzo Abe and commemorates his contribution to India-Japan ties.
Memorial and bilateral cooperation
No opposing viewpoint reported
Purpose and significance
Memorial and bilateral cooperation
Akie Abe and Yogi Adityanath described the memorial as an honour to Shinzo Abe and a reminder of close India-Japan ties.
No opposing viewpoint reported
The articles report no opposing position on the memorial or its significance.
- Venue
- Rudraksh Convention Centre, Varanasi
- Inaugurated by
- Akie Abe and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
- Shinzo Abe’s India visit recalled
- 2015
- Japanese companies in India
- About 1,400, according to Yogi Adityanath
- Diplomatic anniversary
- India and Japan will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027
- Shinzo Abe’s Indian honour
- Padma Vibhushan, awarded in 2021