Japan plans to send foreign minister to Pope's funeral

The government plans to send Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya to Pope Francis's funeral in the Vatican following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Southeast Asian tour. Notable world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, are expected to attend. Japan has previously sent prominent figures like Yoriko Kawaguchi and Yoshiro Mori to similar events, symbolizing their deep respect for the papacy and their commitment to international relations grounded in faith traditions.