Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan has pledged to increase security for visiting foreign ministers after an apparent smoke bomb was thrown at him.
Saturday, he was evacuated unharmed from a public event, where witnesses reported seeing someone hurl an object, followed by smoke and a loud bang.
Sunday, Japan hosts ministers from the seven richest nations in the globe. Mr. Kishida stated that the nation must,
“maximize its security efforts.”
Mr. Kishida told reporters on Sunday,
“At a time when high-ranking officials from around the world are visiting, Japan as a whole must maximize its efforts to ensure security and safety.”
“It’s unforgivable that such a violent act was committed during an election campaign,” he added.
Also on Sunday, police reported that a 24-year-old suspect apprehended at the scene was carrying a knife and a second potential explosive device.
After the incident, which occurred during a campaign event in Wakayama, Mr. Kishida apologized to a crowd at a different location, saying,
“I’m sorry for alarming and causing trouble for so many people.”
As people fled the scene, a video from Japan’s public broadcaster NHK showed officers piling on top of a person presumed to be the suspect.
A dramatic photograph depicted the device’s flight through the air.
Authorities later identified the individual as 24-year-old Ryuji Kimura, who was apprehended on suspicion of obstructing business. The motive for the apparent attack remains unknown.
Kyodo news agency reported that he was carrying a knife and a possible second explosive device when he was apprehended, both of which he abandoned after being tackled by bystanders and police.
In Japan, violent assaults are extremely uncommon. Last year’s assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe on the campaign trail has sparked apprehension regarding the security of politicians.
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