Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated from Wakayama on Saturday after an explosion-like sound was heard at the scene, according to reports.<\/p>\n
A huge explosion occurred at a western Japanese port on April 15 during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida\u2019s visit, but there were no injuries, Japan\u2019s NHK television reported.<\/p>\n
Mr. Kishida was unharmed and evacuated to the Wakayama prefectural police headquarters, NHK said.<\/p>\n
The incident comes nine months after Mr. Kishida\u2019s predecessor, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was assassinated while delivering a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. The assassination shocked the nation and a subsequent investigation found holes in Abe\u2019s security and led to the reinforcement of Japan\u2019s police security measures.<\/p>\n
A man believed to be a suspect threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech in, southwestern Japan on April 15, 2023.<\/p>\n
The attack also comes as a series of Group of Seven ministerial meetings begins this weekend ahead of the May 19-21 summit that Kishida will host in Hiroshima.<\/p>\n
Mr. Kishida was visiting the Saikazaki port in Wakayama prefecture to cheer his ruling party\u2019s candidate in a local election. The explosion happened just before he was to begin his speech, NHK said.<\/p>\n
A man believed to be a suspect was arrested at the scene, and NHK footage showed several uniformed and plainclothes police officers gathered around the man, pressing him to the ground and dragging him to the side.<\/p>\n
The suspect, identified only as a young male, allegedly threw the explosive, NHK said.<\/p>\n
One witness told NHK that she was among the crowd and saw something come flying from behind and that there was a sudden loud noise and she fled with her children. Another witness said people were screaming and that he saw someone being apprehended right before the explosion occurred.<\/p>\n
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