Shinzo Abe, Japan's assassinated former prime minister, remembered in Tokyo on day of private funeral

Mourners have gathered at Tokyo's Zojoji temple to pay their respects to assassinated former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Mr Abe, 67, was shot from behind during a campaign event in Nara last Friday. 

A long queue stretches from the Zojoji temple ahead of Shinzo Abe's funeral. (Reuters: Issei Kato)

People queued ahead of Monday's private funeral ceremony, which was open only to family and close friends.

Mourners gather with flowers to pay their respects to the late statesman. (Reuters: Issei Kato)

The funeral was held at the Zojoji temple in Tokyo. (Reuters: Issei Kato)

Many came to offer prayers and flowers under cloudy skies and in front of a large photograph of Mr Abe showing him in a simple white shirt, laughing with his hands on his hips.

Shinzo Abe was Japan's longest-serving prime minister. (AP: Eugene Hoshiko)

Some mourners brought photos of Mr Abe with personal messages to the late former leader. (Reuters: Issei Kato)

From early morning, long lines of people dressed in black, mixed with others in informal clothing and wearing backpacks, had formed outside the temple.

Mr Abe's supporters say he brought stability to Japan. (Reuters: Kim Kyung-Hoon)

Others gathered in front of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) headquarters to make offerings and write tributes at a makeshift shrine that will be in place until Friday.

Mourners offer prayers and flowers for Mr Abe at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo. (AFP: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Mourners spoke of losing a much-loved leader who provided continuity and stability to Japan during two terms as prime minister.

"There was a sense of security when he was the prime minister in charge of the country," 58-year-old school teacher Keiko Noumi said.

Some mourners shed tears as they farewelled Shinzo Abe. (AP: Eugene Hoshiko)

After the ceremony, the hearse bearing Abe's body proceeded through downtown Tokyo.

It took in the capital's political heart of Nagatacho, including the parliament building where Mr Abe first entered as a young politician in 1993.

The political assassination shocked the nation, where gun violence is rare.  (AP: Eugene Hoshiko)

As tributes poured in from international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, the people of Japan paid their final respects to a sometimes polarising figure whose global influence lingered after stepping down as prime minister in 2020.

Mr Abe's body will be cremated at Tokyo's Kirigaya Funeral Hall on Tuesday.

Mr Abe won six elections and was first elected prime minister in 2006. (AP: Eugene Hoshiko)

AP/Reuters