Fumio Kishida, Japans prime minister, survived unharmed after being presumably targeted by an explosive device on Saturday morning. It occurs less than a year after Shinzo Abe, the countrys former prime minister, was assassinated while giving a campaign address.Kishida was quickly evacuated during the disturbance, and a suspect, identified by Japanese media as Ryuji Kimura, 24, of Hyogo prefecture, was taken into custody at the scene, according to sources.Another assassination attemptKishida was on his way to Saikazaki port in Wakayama prefecture, western Japan, to campaign for the candidate of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in a municipal election when a bomb blew.Moments before Kishida was scheduled to begin his address, a TV video appeared to show what looked like a pipe- or smoke bomb floating through the air in his direction. Security guards were protecting him as video footage appeared to show a fisherman fighting the suspect.TV footage showed Kishida standing with his back to the audience. He turned around, looking startled, as security team members abruptly pointed to the ground close to him. As numerous persons, including uniformed and dressed in plain clothes police officers, surrounded the suspect, sporting a white surgical mask and clutching what seemed to be a long silver tube, the camera rapidly panned to the audience.A loud explosion could be audible close to where Kishida had been standing as they crumpled on top of the man and attempted to take the tube out of his hands. As the Police hauled the man away, the crowd panicked and ran.The explosion released white smoke columns. It was not immediately evident from the video and images from the site whether the silver, pipe-like object on the ground was responsible for the explosion.No one was hurt in the attack that occurred, according to Japans official television NHK, and Kishida was transferred to the Wakayama prefectural police headquarters.As he resumed his campaign addresses, Kishida declared: “Police are looking into the circumstances surrounding the loud explosion sound at the last speaking venue. I apologise for worrying so many people. A crucial election for our nation is currently underway. We must proceed jointly. Later this month, Japan will have local and parliamentary by-elections.Should Japan worry about repeated security breaches and attacksOnly nine months have passed since the assassination of Abe, Japans longest-serving prime minister, while he was giving a campaign address in the western city of Nara. The murder startled Japan, where gun crime is uncommon. After a thorough examination revealed major security gaps surrounding Abe, lawmakers and other prominent figures are now subject to higher levels of security.The incident on Saturday took place as Japan, which is currently in charge of the G7, was getting ready to host several international summits, starting with a gathering of foreign ministers this Sunday and ending with a leaders summit in Hiroshima in May.The Council for Public Policys anti-terrorism specialist Isao Itabashi said: “The reality that something like this occurred at this point in time must be taken seriously.” Hirokazu Matsuno, Japans senior cabinet secretary, told journalists that a police probe was ongoing but declined to comment on the suspects potential motivation. “Elections are the heart of democracy, and we shouldnt ever allow attacks or disruption by violence,” added Matsuno. “I believe [the prime ministers decision to continue with his campaign timetable] was his decision in this context.”
