- Police raided the residence of the suspect who threw a smoke bomb during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's campaign
- Ryuji Kimura has a history of suing the government
- PM Kishida vows to tight security at G7 summit
Police have raided the house of a man accused of tossing an explosive near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, as the leader promised to guarantee utmost security for world leaders attending the G7 conference in Japan next month.
On Saturday, Kishida was campaigning for the governing party's by-election candidate in the western Japanese port city of Wakayama when a tiny explosive device was hurled his way.
PM Fumio Kishida Bomb Attack
The incident happened nine months after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot at a political event by a man using a handmade gun in an assassination that shook Japan and spurred questions about whether enough protection was in place. Investigators looking into Saturday's attack raided the residence of the accused suspect, Ryuji Kimura, 24, in Kawanishi, Hyogo Prefecture, early Sunday morning, according to police.
Police verified the discovery of two cylinder pipes at the blast site; one detonated and the other unused. Per CNN, the guy was also arrested with some form of substance, tools, a computer, a mobile phone, and a tablet. In addition, they confiscated more than ten cardboard boxes suspected to hold pertinent materials in an operation that finished just after 9 a.m. local time, according to national broadcaster NHK.
The man was detained on the spot on "suspicion of forcible obstruction of business" and transported to the Wakayama West Police Station for questioning. In Japan, "forcible obstruction of business" is a felony, meaning " obstructing another person's business by force." It is punished by up to three years in prison and a fine of 500,000 yen (about $3,735).
While Kishida was uninjured, the incident brought up memories of Abe's assassination during a campaign rally in the western city of Nara. Abe's death shocked a country not usually connected with political or gun violence. According to the Yomiuri newspaper on Tuesday, the suspect reportedly has a history of suing the government, saying he was wrongfully prohibited from participating in the Upper House election.
Kimura contended that the election legislation breaches the Constitution, which, among other things, mandates equality under the law. According to the Yomiuri article, the court denied the petition in which the 24-year-old suspect requested 100,000 yen in damages for mental agony.
Kimura filed an appeal with the Osaka High Court against the finding, and a decision was set for May of this year. He has yet to be charged, as per Reuters.
PM Kishida Ensures Security for Upcoming G7 Summit
The incident has raised serious concerns about the status of VIP security less than a year after a former prime minister was assassinated and only weeks before Japan welcomes G7 leaders. According to four experts questioned by Reuters, the incident reveals flaws in Japan's security apparatus as well as a failure to implement adjustments following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
However, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced he would tighten security at G7 meetings in his nation. Next month, according to Politico, Japan will host the leaders of the Group of Seven most industrialized nations for a summit in Hiroshima.
After fleeing the smoke bomb incident unharmed, Kishida said, "Japan as a whole must strive to provide maximum security during the dates of the summit and other gatherings of dignitaries from around the world."
G7 foreign ministers will convene in Karuizawa, Japan, on Sunday for a three-day summit to tackle China's hostility against Taiwan, Russia's conflict in Ukraine, and North Korea's missile tests. Meanwhile, G7 climate ministers are wrapping up a two-day conference in Sapporo.
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