- Kyodo News via AP.
VIVA – Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida was evacuated without injury on Saturday after he was attacked by a smoke bomb during election campaigning at a fishing port in Western Japan, the official said.
The police managed to arrest a suspect. The smoke bomb thrown by the perpetrator caused the audience to scream and frantically flee as smoke filled the air.
Although no one was injured, and Kishida continued campaigning, the incident was reminiscent of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nine months ago.
Kishida was visiting the port of Saikazaki in Wakayama prefecture to support his ruling party's candidates in local elections, and the explosion occurred just before he began her speech.
A young man believed to be the suspect was arrested at the scene after he allegedly threw a "suspicious object," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told.
Pelaku pelempar bom asap ke PM Jepang Fumio Kishida ditangkap.
- Kyodo News via AP.
Matsuno declined to comment on the motive and background of the suspect. He said police were still investigating.
TV footage showed Fumio Kishida standing with his back to the audience. His security detail suddenly pointed to the ground nearby, and the prime minister turned around, looking worried.
The camera quickly switched to the crowd just as several people, including uniformed and plainclothes police officers, secured a young man wearing a white surgical mask and holding another device, a long silver tube.
It was not immediately clear what the explosive device was or how many the suspect had, but some reports said it was a smoke or pipe bomb.
No injuries were reported in the incident. Kishida was unhurt and continued his campaign speech Saturday night, Matsuno said.
During the campaign, Kishida didn't mention the explosion and returned to Tokyo in the evening after campaigning in Chiba for another candidate.
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