Saturday marks one year since former Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was fatally shot while delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara.

A memorial service will be held in the morning at Zojoji Temple in central Tokyo. Current Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will be among those in attendance.

The public will be able to offer flowers at a makeshift stand in the afternoon.

The Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church, came under scrutiny in the wake of Abe's death.

The suspect told investigators he targeted the former leader because he thought Abe had ties with the group.

The government has since exercised legal authority to inquire into the organization on six occasions, and is currently determining whether to seek a court order to disband it as a religious corporation.

A faction of the main ruling Liberal Democratic Party that Abe led will also hold an event in the capital on Saturday.

The former prime minister's death has given rise to a power struggle. Faction officials including acting leader Shionoya Ryu want a new head elected swiftly.

But five other prominent members, including LDP policy chief Hagiuda Koichi and Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu, are calling for collective leadership.