- The Japanese Prime Minister was evacuated unhurt after a suspect threw a smoke bomb at an outdoor speech.
- There were no injuries, media said, citing police.
- “Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue,” Kishida said when he resumed his campaign speeches,
- Police arrested a 24-year-old male suspect ,who appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, media said.
- By-elections in various regions for the lower house of Japan’s parliament are to be held on April 23.
- Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader of modern Japan, was assassinated with a homemade gun last July while campaigning for a parliamentary election.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unhurt after a suspect threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb at an outdoor speech in western Japan, domestic media reported. A loud explosion was heard, but the premier took cover and was unharmed while police subdued a man at the scene, public broadcaster said. There were no injuries, media said, citing police.
“Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue,” Kishida said when he resumed his campaign speeches, in a video broadcast by NHK. “I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together.”
The incident occurred at the Saikazaki fishing harbour in Wakayama prefecture, some 65 km (40 miles) southwest of Osaka city. Kishida was being served local speciality seafood just before the explosion, media reported. News video showed Kishida looking behind him in surprise as shouts filled the area. NHK video showed the thrown object, which appeared to be a metal cylinder.
A man identified by the Asahi newspaper as a staffer of the fishery cooperative grabbed a young man in a headlock as police swarmed the suspect and dragged him to the ground. Moments later, an explosion and cloud of smoke could be seen near where Kishida had been standing.
NHK footage showed crowds running away as several police officers appeared to pin a man to the ground before removing him from the scene. Police arrested a 24-year-old male suspect from Kawanishi city, Kyodo reported. The man appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, media said.
By-elections in various regions for the lower house of Japan’s parliament are to be held on April 23.
Kishida is to host a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima next month. Japan’s foreign ministry said after the incident there would be no change to the security plan for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting starting on Sunday in the resort city of Karuizawa.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader of modern Japan, was assassinated with a homemade gun last July while campaigning for a parliamentary election, shocking the nation and prompting a review of security for politicians, who routinely press the flesh with the public.
