Japan PM Kishida Unhurt After Explosion During Speech, Suspect Arrested

Japan PM Kishida was evacuated as an explosion was heard during his speech in Wakayama. The suspect has been arrested.

Japan PM Kishida was evacuated as an explosion was heard ahead of his speech in Wakayama, reports said.

Japan PM Kishida was evacuated as an explosion was heard during his speech in Wakayama city "after an apparent smoke or pipe bomb was thrown at the leader," the Japan Times reported. "Kishida left the scene unhurt after the incident, which took place as he was speaking with a candidate of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party," the report said. Police have reportedly arrested a 24-year-old male suspect from Kawanishi city.

"Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue," Kishida was quoted as saying by media when he resumed his campaign speeches. "I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together," he said

きょう午前11時半前、和歌山市の雑賀崎漁港で岸田総理大臣が視察を終えて演説を始める直前に、大きな爆発音がしました。岸田総理大臣は、現場から避難したということです。

最新情報を速報しています👇https://t.co/EQMeVH4jjH#nhk_news pic.twitter.com/JGGGjc1n5H

— NHKニュース (@nhk_news) April 15, 2023

 An explosion-like sound was heard at the scene, public broadcaster NHK reported, adding that Kishida took cover at the site of the explosion site and remained safe.

News footage showed officers removing a man as people cleared the area. Public broadcaster NHK said Kishida had started his speech after touring a fishing harbour when the incident occurred. Kishida was reportedly being served local speciality seafood just before the explosion took place. News video showed Kishida looking behind him in surprise as panic grips the area.

Asahi newspaper identified a man as a staffer of the fishery cooperative who grabbed a young man in a headlock as police swarmed the suspect and dragged him to the ground. Moments later, an explosion and cloud of smoke could be seen near where Kishida had been standing, Reuters reported. NHK video showed the thrown object, which appeared to be a metal cylinder.

Former Japan PM Shinzo Abe Assassination

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe died after he was shot at during an election campaign in July 2022. Abe had collapsed while delivering a speech in the western Japanese city of Nara. 

Shinzo Abe was the longest-serving Prime Minister of Japan who stepped down from the post in 2020 citing health reasons. He first took the office in 2006 becoming Japan's youngest prime minister since World War II. A year later he stepped down citing plagued by political scandals, voter outrage at lost pension records, and an election drubbing for his ruling party. Abe again became the PM in year 2012.