Prime Minister safe and sound after explosion at election event

Safe and sound. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is unharmed after being evacuated after an explosion as he prepared to deliver a speech at the fishing port of Saikazaki in western Wakayama Prefecture, Japanese media reported on Saturday (15). april.

Several media, including the Kyodo news agency, reported that an object resembling a “smoke bomb” had been thrown, but there did not appear to be any injuries or visible damage at the scene. Television images show a movement of the crowd, then the sound of an explosion followed by an emission of white smoke.

A man arrested

“There was a loud explosion (…) The police are investigating to find out the details, but I would like to apologize for having worried and inconvenienced many people”, said the Prime Minister in front of Wakayama station, a few kilometers from the scene of the incident. He then resumed his electoral activities: “An important campaign for our country is unfolding, and we must work together and see it through.”

A 24-year-old man from the western Hyogo region was arrested, Wakayama police told AFP. No information has yet been given on the reason for this explosion.

Japan has tightened its security arrangements after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed last July while speaking at an election campaign event. His assassination has sparked scrutiny of how politicians are protected.

The Saikazaki incident comes as Japan hosts G7 ministerial meetings in the north and center of the country this weekend, and the leaders’ summit of the group’s countries is due to be held in May in Hiroshima.