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24-Year old Suspect Arrested for Attempted Assassination on Japanese Prime Minister
Photo credit: Japan PM Fumio Kishida
Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio narrowly escaped unhurt after a bomb was thrown at the site of his campaign speech in western Japan on Saturday. The incident occurred during a visit to Saikazaki Port in Wakayama Prefecture where Kishida was offering support to his party's candidate in an upcoming by-election. Kishida left the site after the explosion and has been confirmed safe, but one police officer suffered minor injuries.
Authorities have arrested a 24-year-old man identified as Kimura Ryuji, who resides in Kawanishi city in Hyogo prefecture. Kimura is under arrest on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business, but has remained silent during questioning.
Investigative sources told NHK that the suspect was carrying two cylindrical objects, one of which exploded at the site of Kishida's speech. The other object was seized by authorities. Police believe it may be an "iron pipe bomb," a type of explosive made by packing a pipe with gunpowder and fitting it with a detonator. The bomb explodes when the air pressure inside the pipe reaches a certain level after the gunpowder ignites.
Kishida later proceeded with a planned speech in front of JR Wakayama Station, where he emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections and urged unity among voters. The local elections, including mayoral and assembly member elections in smaller municipalities, as well as by-elections to fill vacancies in lower and upper house seats, are scheduled for April 23.
This incident comes less than a year after former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot and killed during an election campaign speech in the city of Nara. Yamagami Tetsuya, a 42-year-old man, was indicted on charges including murder in relation to Abe's assassination.
Prime Minister Kishida took to Twitter to express his gratitude to those who supported him during his speeches in Wakayama and Chiba, and pledged to protect the upcoming elections together with the public and security personnel. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and analyze the remaining bomb seized from the suspect to determine the motive behind the attack.
Authorities have arrested a 24-year-old man identified as Kimura Ryuji, who resides in Kawanishi city in Hyogo prefecture. Kimura is under arrest on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business, but has remained silent during questioning.
Investigative sources told NHK that the suspect was carrying two cylindrical objects, one of which exploded at the site of Kishida's speech. The other object was seized by authorities. Police believe it may be an "iron pipe bomb," a type of explosive made by packing a pipe with gunpowder and fitting it with a detonator. The bomb explodes when the air pressure inside the pipe reaches a certain level after the gunpowder ignites.
Kishida later proceeded with a planned speech in front of JR Wakayama Station, where he emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections and urged unity among voters. The local elections, including mayoral and assembly member elections in smaller municipalities, as well as by-elections to fill vacancies in lower and upper house seats, are scheduled for April 23.
This incident comes less than a year after former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo was shot and killed during an election campaign speech in the city of Nara. Yamagami Tetsuya, a 42-year-old man, was indicted on charges including murder in relation to Abe's assassination.
Prime Minister Kishida took to Twitter to express his gratitude to those who supported him during his speeches in Wakayama and Chiba, and pledged to protect the upcoming elections together with the public and security personnel. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and analyze the remaining bomb seized from the suspect to determine the motive behind the attack.
Apr 16, 2023
