Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated from a speech venue in the western Japanese city of Wakayama on Saturday after an explosion-like sound was heard, causing panic among attendees. Cell phone videos captured the chaos as smoke filled the area and crowds scattered. Public broadcaster NHK reported that officials believe an object was thrown into the crowd and exploded.
Prime Minister Kishida is safe and unharmed, according to Japanese officials. "The safety of our prime minister is our top priority," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, adding that they are investigating the incident thoroughly.
Footage from NHK showed several police officers subduing a man at the scene before removing him. The suspect's identity has not yet been released by authorities.
This event comes just over a year after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was fatally shot while giving an outdoor speech in Nara, another western Japanese city. A lone assailant with a homemade gun carried out that attack, which shocked Japan and prompted increased security measures for public figures.
"We must take this incident seriously as it happened shortly after last year's tragic event," remarked Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo Prefecture. She urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or individuals to law enforcement agencies promptly.
The motive behind Saturday's attack remains unknown at this time; however, experts suggest it could be politically motivated given its similarities to last year's assassination of Shinzo Abe during his campaign trail appearance in Nara.
Professor Akira Shimizu from Rikkyo University commented on how these events have impacted political discourse within Japan: "These attacks reflect growing tensions within society and highlight significant divisions among various groups."
As investigations continue into this latest incident targeting Japan's prime minister, authorities are likely to review existing security protocols for politicians' public appearances further.