A Japanese court has sentenced a man to 10 years in prison for throwing a homemade pipe bomb at former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a campaign event in 2023. Ryuji Kimura, aged 25, was convicted of attempted murder and several other offenses regarding explosives and weapons. The incident occurred on April 15, 2023, at a small fishing port located in Wakayama, and the court’s decision has garnered significant attention.

The key issue in the trial was whether Kimura had intended to kill Kishida. According to the Wakayama District Court, they found evidence indicating that Kimura understood the potential lethal consequences of his actions. The court noted that the attack represented a serious threat to democracy and posed grave dangers to the public present at the event. This conclusion was reported by local media.

During the initial stages of the trial, Kimura denied any intent to kill the former prime minister, claiming he was merely frustrated with Japan’s electoral system. He argued that his aim was to draw public attention by targeting a well-known political figure. Although Kishida emerged from the attack unharmed, two individuals at the event sustained minor injuries, and Kimura was apprehended immediately following the incident.

This incident took place roughly a year after the tragic assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign rally in Nara, another city in western Japan. Prosecutors contended that Kimura had murderous intentions, highlighting the dangerous nature of the bomb used in his attack, and recommended a 15-year sentence.

Although gun-related crimes are uncommon in Japan due to stringent gun control laws, the country has witnessed a rise in high-profile violent incidents, including stabbings and attacks involving homemade guns and explosives. The ruling on Kimura’s case sends a strong message about the seriousness of such threats in a nation known for its low levels of gun violence.