Man throws explosive device at Japanese prime minister
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.
The video then shows Kishida's security detail rush to cover the device, with one man appearing to cover it with a briefcase. At the same time, other members of Kishida's security team surround the prime minister and whisk him away.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Additional footage from Japanese broadcaster NHK shows the aftermath, when police move to subdue the suspect, identified as a 24-year-old man. As the suspect was being detained, the device went off, and "a loud explosion was heard, and white smoke rose from the site," The Japan Times reported. The suspect was taken to a local police precinct. No injuries from the explosion were reported.
Kishida would later go ahead with the planned speech, NHK reported.
Security protocols for Japanese officials have been under heightened scrutiny since former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was assassinated by a gunman last July. Gun violence is extremely rare in Japan, and a police report concluded that better security could have likely prevented Abe's death, NPR noted.
Kishida himself had blamed the lackluster police response for the assassination, CBS News reported, saying at the time, "There were problems with the security measures." Kishida added that he had pressed public safety officials "to carry out a thorough inspection and fix what needs to be fixed, while also studying examples in other countries."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Her Lotus Year: Paul French's new biography sets lurid rumours straight
The Week Recommends Wallis Simpson's year in China is less scandalous, but 'more interesting' than previously thought
By The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 21, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - wild cards, wild turkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Say Nothing: 'sensational' dramatisation of Patrick Radden Keefe's bestselling book
The Week Recommends The series is a 'powerful reminder' of the Troubles
By The Week UK Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 4, 2023
Daily Briefing Erdogan and Putin meet in effort to rejuvenate Ukraine grain deal, Biden heads to Philadelphia for pro-union Labor Day celebration, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 3, 2023
Daily Briefing Biden visits Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia, former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson dies at 75, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
10 things you need to know today: August 19, 2023
Daily Briefing Hurricane Hilary bringing unprecedented storm warnings to Southwest, US enhances security ties with South Korea and Japan amid rising Asian tensions, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
10 things you need to know today: August 13, 2023
Daily Briefing Maui blaze becomes deadliest wildfire in a century as death toll rises to 93, Trump and DeSantis face off at Iowa state fair, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published