On April 15, during a campaign event in Wakayama, a homemade pipe bomb was hurled at Kishida. Fortunately, the Prime Minister remained unhurt, but two others sustained minor injuries.
On April 15, during a campaign event in Wakayama, a homemade pipe bomb was hurled at Kishida. Fortunately, the Prime Minister remained unhurt, but two others sustained minor injuries.
The bomb used in the attack was highly lethal, according to investigators. Court records suggest Kimura had purchased explosives for the bomb in November 2022.
Kimura's frustration stemmed from his inability to file for candidacy in the 2022 elections. He had a history of seeking damages from the government, claiming unfair exclusion from the election.
Kimura had previously filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government, citing age and financial constraints as reasons for his exclusion from the 2022 election.
The attack on Kishida happened less than a year after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, leading to heightened security measures for public officials.
Kimura is formally indicted on an attempted murder charge along with four other charges, including violations of gun and sword control laws and explosives control laws.
The attack came as a shock to Japan, rekindling memories of the traumatic assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and prompting a review of security measures for public officials.