According to local media, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unharmed from the site of a campaign address on Saturday after a boom sounded and white smoke filled the air.
The Wakayama event occurred less than a year after the killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Which shocked the country and required a security shake-up for public figures.
Kishida had just completed sampling fish at a port when a disturbance ran through the gathering gathered to hear him speak.
NHK footage showed the prime minister turning to look back. As a person was seized by security and bystanders moved away, some shrieking.
A blast was heard seconds later, and white smoke covered the air.
According to NHK, a guy was arrested at the site on suspicion of obstructing commerce.
Local police declined to comment on the incident. Thus there was no quick official confirmation.
People on the scene recalled frantic moments.
“I ran frantically, and then, about 10 seconds later, there was a loud noise, and my child began crying.” “I was stunned, and my heart is still racing,” said one woman to NHK.
According to a witness, “when we all stopped in front of the podium, someone started saying ‘culprit!’ or something. Or ‘an explosive was thrown,’ so everyone started dispersing fast.”
“And then, about 10 seconds after the perpetrator was apprehended, there was a blast,” he explains.
According to reports, Kishida was unharmed and might still participate at campaign events later in the day.
“It is regrettable that something like this occurred in the midst of an election campaign that serves as the foundation of democracy.” It’s an unspeakable atrocity,” Hiroshi Moriyama, the election strategy head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, said NHK.
In a country with little violent crime and tight gun regulations, security at local campaign events in Japan can be relatively relaxed.
However, following the assassination of Abe, who was shot and died while speaking at a campaign rally in July 2022. The country increased security around lawmakers.