By Arata Yamamoto and Dennis Romero -
NBC News
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unharmed on Saturday after someone threw an explosive device in his direction while he was campaigning in a western Japanese fishing port, authorities said.
The police struggled with a suspected suspect, who they managed to subdue and throw to the ground while the attendees rushed to flee the place, which had filled with smoke.
Although no one was injured, the chaotic scene was reminiscent of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nine months ago, which also occurred during an on-air event and continues to roil Japanese politics.
The suspected suspect of throwing what appeared to be a smoke bomb is captured at the port of Wakayama, western Japan, on April 15, 2023.Kyodo News via AP
Kishida was at the port of Saikazaki in western Wakayama prefecture to deliver a speech when someone shouted, authorities surrounded a man and the sound of an explosion was heard, Japanese television station NHK reported.
The crash was followed by smoke, but no injuries were reported and no fire broke out either, NHK reported.
Kishida was escorted to a vehicle by his security team.
The prime minister had just eaten a meal at the port and was about 65 feet (about 15 meters) from where the incident occurred, according to the network.
Kishida later apologized for the incident.
[Wave of criticism for the Dalai Lama for what he did with a child]
"The police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound," he said as he resumed his campaign speeches in a video broadcast by NHK.
"I am sorry that I have caused many people concern. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must move forward together," she said.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, told Reuters that the police had received instructions to strengthen security, and anticipated that the authorities wait for the end of the investigations to report on the suspect's motive.
Kishida will host the G7 summit, which will bring together the world's seven biggest economic powers from May 19-21 in Hiroshima.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated after the incident that there will be no changes to the security plan for the meeting.