According to the fisherman who attacked the suspect in the second assault on a Japanese politician in less than a year, they were taken aback by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s lack of protection.
At this fishing port, Kishida was attending a campaign event when Tsutomu Konishi, a fisherman, saw something fly above and land close to the prime minister. According to Konishi, 41, a security guard covered the item with a briefcase made of ballistic material. The assailant was mobbed by the fisherman.
In the port of Saikazaki on Sunday, Konishi, 41, said, “I never believed a crime like this would happen in my hometown, which is a relatively modest fishing region. “I’m still in awe and disbelief.”
While the prime minister was unharmed, Konishi, like many others in Japan, was considering on Sunday how the nation should better safeguard prominent people.
We could have required a metal detector when Japan’s current prime minister came in town, Konishi remarked.
The majority of attendees at the gathering on Saturday, according to Masaki Nishide, a 55-year-old fisherman from Saikazaki, were locals and supporters of the local candidate. He said that the young guy with the gray-and-silver bag stood out.
Nishide, who was dressed in a sweatsuit and red rubber boots, remarked, “People here all dress like me, and nobody carries a bag; it was just him.” “I would have requested a bag check if I were in charge of security,” the person said.
One of the fisherman grabbed the suspect’s neck from behind after the unsuccessful attempt on the prime minister, another forced his head down, and Konishi got hold of his leg. Police pushed the guy to the ground as they were holding him.
The tumultuous situation was reminiscent of Shinzo Abe’s murder, which occurred during a campaign trip nine months earlier. After a probe that revealed weaknesses in Abe’s security, police increased their security procedures. At a campaign address, Abe was shot and murdered with a homemade weapon. Tetsuya Yamagami, the suspect, is accused of murder as well as multiple other offenses, including breaking gun control regulations.
Yamagami admitted to killing Abe, one of Japan’s most powerful and polarizing politicians, in part because of the former leader’s alleged affiliations with a religious sect that Yamagami loathed. Yamagami said in interviews and posts on social media that his mother’s contributions to the Unification Church had caused his family’s financial disaster and destroyed his life.
Due to the country’s tight gun control regulations, violent crimes are uncommon in Japan, and only a small number of crimes using firearms occur there each year. While gang-related crimes account for the majority of instances, there has recently been an increase in concern around homemade bombs and weapons. There have also been a few high-profile instances of random stabbings and arson assaults on public transportation.
The current prime ministers have been protected by squads of policemen. Fewer cops have been keeping an eye on past presidents and Cabinet members.
In contrast to US elections, Japanese political campaigns often let audience members to get relatively near to dignitaries. The front-row crowd at Kishida’s campaign rally was close enough to touch.
A police officer was the only one harmed; pieces of the bomb, which didn’t completely detonate, cut his arm. Ryuji Nakamura, 24, was detained by police on suspicion of hurling an explosive inside a metal tube towards Kishida.
To look for signs of the manufacture of bombs, police sent a specialized counter-explosives squad to the suspect’s residence in Hyogo Prefecture. This month, municipal elections are held around the country. In addition, Japan is hosting a number of G7 gatherings prior to the May 19–21 leaders’ summit in Hiroshima. During the G-7 foreign ministers’ conference in Karuizawa, diplomats began to arrive on Sunday.
Public safety expert Isao Itabashi said on NHK News that the incident highlighted concerns about the conduct of political campaigning. It is logistically challenging to protect prominent politicians during campaigns, and it is challenging to balance high security with a fair election, he added.
Senior member of the neighborhood fishing organization Kiyotaka Hamada, 70, claimed to have felt something strike his shoulder while he was fleeing the area after hearing a boom. To check whether he had been struck by an explosive piece, police seized his jacket.
“I only want to inquire about the suspect’s motivation for coming here to cause disturbance, “added he.
Hamada and other fishermen are concerned about their anticipated revenue loss from the days they will be unable to work since the port facilities will be closed for the inquiry.
The hamlet made a tremendous effort to greet the prime minister on his first visit, according to Hamada. We are unable to leave land at this point.