Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was unharmed after a smoke bomb was thrown at him during a public event in Wakayama. Police have made an arrest, suspecting obstruction of business. The incident occurred as Mr Kishida had just started to deliver a speech after touring the fishing harbour for a campaign event.
Video footage showed officers piling on top of a person, believed to be the suspect, and then carrying them away. Witnesses reported seeing a person throwing something, followed by smoke, and hearing a loud bang. No injuries were reported.
NHK broadcasted footage of crowds running away from the scene in panic. A woman at the scene told NHK: “I was stunned. My heart is still beating fast.” Another witness said they saw an object flying through the air which gave them a “bad feeling, so we ran away unbelievably fast”.
Mr Kishida apologized for worrying many people and causing them trouble. Hiroshi Moriyama, a member of Mr Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party, said: “That something like this happened in the middle of an election campaign that constitutes the foundation of democracy is regrettable. It’s an unforgivable atrocity.”
Violent attacks are rare in Japan, but there is nervousness about security around politicians after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead while on the campaign trail last year. Following the incident, Mr Kishida will continue his planned schedule for the rest the day.
The incident has caused shock and alarm among the public in Japan. Such an attack on a public figure is a serious violation of democracy and the rule of law. The authorities must investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that justice is served.
The safety and security of public figures must be protected at all times, especially during election campaigns. The government must take all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents are prevented in future.