April 15, 2023
1 min read

Kishida unharmed after ‘smoke bomb’ thrown during speech

Video footage showed members of the public fleeing and a man being arrested following the incident.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday was evacuated unscathed after an object that appeared to be a smoke bomb was thrown at him during a public event in Wakayama City, local media reports said, adding that the suspect has been arrested.

The reports said that Kishida immediately took cover and left the scene at Saikazaki Port after the incident, adding there were no injuries or damage, reports Xinhua news agency.

The suspect has been arrested, national broadcaster NHK confirmed in a report citing police sources, without giving any further details.

NHK footage showed crowds of people running away as smoke filled the area where a loud explosion was heard, and police officers pressing the suspect to the ground.

The object, resembling a flare with smoke, was thrown at Kishida at around 11.30 a.m. (local time) while he was preparing to deliver an outdoor address supporting the by-election of the House of Representatives, Kyodo News said.

The reports said that Kishida immediately took cover and left the scene at Saikazaki Port after the incident, adding there were no injuries or damage. (Photo: Xinhua/IANS)

Kishida, currently at the Wakayama Prefecture main police headquarters, has cancelled the addressed, the news outlet added.

The incident occurred as Japan is hosting G7 ministerial meetings in Sapporo and the city of Karuizawa in Nagano ahead of the bloc’s leaders’ summit in Hiroshima next month.

The incident comes less than a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot dead during a campaign event in July 2022.

ALSO READ: Japan: Half of unmarried people don’t want kids

Previous Story

Erdogan wants new constitution for Turkey

Next Story

Taliban outlaw video games, music and foreign films

Latest from -Top News

Macron backs Syria sanctions shift 

 Diplomatic outreach, sanctions, reconstruction, and sectarian unrest shape Syria’s complex new chapter.  In a landmark visit signalling Syria’s first re-engagement with a European capital in over a decade, French President Emmanuel Macron

Up to 1,000 transgender troops moved out

Department officials have said it’s difficult to determine exactly how many transgender service members there are The Pentagon will immediately begin moving as many as 1,000 openly identifying transgender service members out

Singapore lauds UAE field aid

A Singaporean delegation visited the UAE Floating Hospital in Al-Arish, where they toured its various departments and were briefed on the medical and humanitarian services provided to patients arriving from the Gaza

Leaders hail new Pope

The UAE President expressed hope that the pontiff’s tenure would advance global harmony, peace, and interfaith understanding President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has extended warm congratulations to Cardinal

U.S. Cardinal Named Pope Leo XIV

Joy erupted among the clergy and laity awaiting a decision, and all eyes were on the balcony, awaiting the first appearance of the new head of the Roman Catholic Church…reports Asian Lite
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Japan envoy meets Garcetti, discusses future ties with India

The Senate on March 15 (Local Time) confirmed the former

‘India and Japan are Special Strategic Global Partners’

Vice Minister Shin reiterated the special strategic partnership between India