Man throws explosive device at Japanese prime minister

A man is subdued after throwing a device near the Japanese prime minister
(Image credit: STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unharmed from a campaign event on Saturday after a man allegedly threw an explosive device at him, moments before he was slated to give a speech.

The incident occurred in the city of Wakayama, where NPR reported that Kishida was "stumping for a candidate in upcoming by-elections." A video of the incident posted on Twitter shows a small, cylindrical object come into frame as it is tossed near the prime minister. According to eyewitnesses, the device landed just over three feet away from Kishida.

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

 Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.