Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's decision to hold the funeral on Sept 27, to be paid for by the state, has aroused widespread public opposition, largely because of revelations that emerged after Abe's murder.

Links to the church have become a headache for Kishida since July 8, when former premier Shinzo Abe was shot and his suspected killer said his mother was bankrupted by the church and blamed Abe for promoting it.

Kishida is set to remove several members from his cabinet, according to Japanese media reports, with the Mainichi newspaper saying as many as seven could be replaced.

Japan has become increasingly concerned about Chinese activity in the East China Sea, including incursions into waters around the disputed islands, known as the Diaoyus in China.