People lay flowers in memory of the late Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, July 12, 2022. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Representatives from 217 foreign countries, regions and international organizations, including 35 top-level leaders, will attend the funeral to be held in Tokyo on Tuesday. 

Matsuno said that Japan will ask foreign guests attending the state funeral to wear protective face masks and take COVID-19 prevention measures.

The Japanese government decided on Friday to hold the state funeral for former Prime Minister Abe on September 27 at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.