Japanese suspect throws smoke bomb at prime minister, gets tackled on video

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated on Saturday after someone threw an explosive device during a campaign event at a fishing port in western Japan.

No one was hurt in the incident and police apprehended a suspect as bystanders panicked and smoke filled the area.

After the incident, Kishida continued operations at the port of Sakazaki in Wakayama Prefecture. The blast happened just before he could speak.

According to Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, a youth was arrested after allegedly throwing a “suspicious object”.

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, surrounded by security police, arrives at Sakazaki Port for an election campaign event in Wakayama, western Japan, Saturday, April 15, 2023. Authorities said he was campaigning at a fishing port in western Japan. (via Kyodo News AP)

“Elections are the core of democracy and we must never tolerate obstruction of threats or violence,” Matsuno said.

The secretary declined to comment on the suspect’s motive and background, saying authorities are still investigating.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walks past a man believed to be a suspect after he allegedly threw a “suspicious object” while visiting Sakazaki port for an election campaign event in Wakayama, western Japan, Saturday, April 15. Caught by. , 2023. (via Kyodo News AP)

It was not immediately clear what the explosive device was or how many the suspect had. Some reports state that it was a smoke or pipe bomb, possibly with a delayed fuse.

TV footage of the incident showed Kishida’s security detail pointing to the ground near him, with the prime minister whipping around.

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A suspicious object is seen on the ground before Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida begins a speech at Sakazaki Port in Wakayama Prefecture, western Japan, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (via Kyodo News AP)

The camera then pans to the crowd as uniformed and plainclothes officers gather on a young man wearing a white surgical mask and holding a long silver tube.

As they work to remove the tube, a huge bang is heard near the spot where Kishida was standing and the crowd scatters.

A man, center, is held after what appears to be a smoke bomb thrown at a harbor in Wakayama, western Japan, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (via Kyodo News AP)

Kishida did not mention the explosion and returned to the Tokyo area later that night.

Matsuno said he has instructed the national police to make every effort to ensure the safety of dignitaries visiting Japan ahead of the Group of Seven summit in May.

A man on the ground who threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb is captured at a port in Wakayama, western Japan, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (via Kyodo News AP)

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Saturday’s attack comes just before national local elections and less than a year after the shocking assassination of former prime minister Shinzo Abe, which led to the resignation of top local and national police chiefs.

Kishida was visiting the area to support his ruling party’s candidate in a local election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.