Attempted assassination of Fumio Kishida

On 15 April 2023, a pipe bomb exploded close to Fumio Kishida, the prime minister of Japan. Kishida went to the fishing port of Saikazaki, Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, in the Kansai region to give a campaign speech for the 2023 Wakayama 1st district by-election.

Attack
Just before Kishida was to give a speech, a man threw a pipe bomb. The man who threw the bomb was caught by local fishermen and the police. Kishida was not injured, because he was evacuated at the moment the pipe bomb was thrown.Fifty seconds after the bomb was thrown, it exploded, injuring two people.

The suspect, 24-year-old Ryūji Kimura (), had tried to run in the July 2022 Upper House election but was blocked due to his age.

Aftermath
Following the incident, Kishida said, "I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together."

References

Category:Failed assassination attempts
Category:Fumio Kishida
Category:April 2023 events
Category:2020s in Japan