TOKYO — The trial of a man accused of launching a homemade pipe bomb at former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida commenced on Tuesday in a court located in western Japan. Ryuji Kimura, 25, has been charged with attempted murder stemming from the incident that took place on April 15, 2023, during a campaign event at a small fishing port in Wakayama city. In addition to attempted murder, he faces four other charges, which include violations pertaining to explosive devices and deadly weapons.

During the court proceedings, Kimura entered a plea of not guilty to the attempted murder charge, asserting that he did not intend to kill Kishida. This statement was reported by various media outlets, including Japan’s NHK public television. Despite denying the intent to kill, Kimura did confess to manufacturing the bombs and acknowledged the other charges against him.

No injuries were sustained by Kishida during the attack, however, two individuals present did experience minor injuries, and Kimura was apprehended immediately at the scene.

The incident involving Kishida is particularly significant as it occurred just a year after the shocking assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was killed while delivering a campaign speech in Nara, another western Japanese city. This previous event raised alarms across the nation and led to enhanced security measures for public figures.

While gun crime is relatively uncommon in Japan due to stringent gun control regulations, there has been an uptick in serious knife attacks in recent years, especially in crowded public places like subways. Growing concerns have also emerged regarding the potential for homemade firearms and explosives.

Prosecutors revealed that Kimura brought two bombs to the campaign event, one of which he hurled at Kishida. Subsequent social media activity suggested that Kimura had grievances about the electoral process in Japan. Investigators discovered fragments of the pipe bomb lodged in a container situated 60 meters (approximately 65 yards) from the event location, with prosecutors emphasizing its capacity to cause harm.

The verdict for Kimura is anticipated to be delivered later this month, as the trial continues in the Wakayama District Court.