Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had a scary encounter during a recent campaign event.
According to The Daily Wire, the prime minister was the target of an attack involving some type of explosive thrown his way. Luckily, he wasn't injured, but a nearby police officer was treated for injuries sustained in the attack.
It's still unclear what prompted the attack, but the Associated Press reported that police tackled a young male following the attack.
Footage of the scary encounter was posted to social media. A loud boom could be heard in the footage.
The suspect, a 24-year-old named Kimura, was tackled by the crowd first, after white smoke could be seen rising from the spot where the unknown explosive detonated.
Screams and panic set in after the explosion detonated.
"Hunting the Prime Minister has become a national pastime in Japan," one Twitter user wrote.
Hunting the Prime Minister has become a national pastime in Japan.
🇯🇵 The moment of throwing an explosive device at Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and detaining the suspect.
https://t.co/eXFHk4Kdqe pic.twitter.com/QcSCuEO2Gw— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) April 15, 2023
The prime minister, following the attack, said, "We are holding an important election for our country, and we must work together with all of you to see it through."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno added, "Elections are the core of democracy, and we should never tolerate threats or obstruction by violence."
The explosive attack on Japan's new prime minister comes about a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was killed, sending shockwaves through the country, and the world.
The AP noted:
Abe’s assassination, which shocked a nation that prides itself on public safety and extremely tight gun controls, came as he delivered a campaign speech in the western city of Nara. Amid a national outcry, police have tightened their protective measures following a subsequent investigation that found holes in Abe’s security.
In Abe’s assassination, the former prime minister was shot with a homemade gun during a campaign speech. The suspect, Tetsuya Yamagami, has been charged with murder and several other crimes, including violating the gun control law.
The attack comes about one week before Japan will hold elections for several vacant seats on April 23.
It looks as though security protocols for elected officials will need to be tightened even more in the lead-up to the elections, and following the elections as well. This incident could have ended up much worse.
