A Japanese court has handed down a 10-year prison sentence to a 25-year-old man, Ryuji Kimura, for his attempted murder of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The incident took place during a campaign event in April 2023 at a fishing port in Wakayama, Japan.
Kimura was found guilty of multiple crimes, including attempted murder, violations of explosives and weapons laws. The court determined that Kimura was aware of the potential for a fatal outcome in his attack on Kishida, highlighting the seriousness of the incident as a challenge to democracy and a threat to public safety.
During the trial, Kimura pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, claiming that his intention was not to kill Kishida but to draw attention to his dissatisfaction with Japan's election system by targeting a prominent politician. Despite Kishida escaping unharmed, two individuals suffered minor injuries during the attack, leading to Kimura's immediate arrest.
This incident occurred approximately a year after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech in Nara, underscoring concerns about political violence in Japan. Prosecutors argued that Kimura had a clear intent to commit murder, citing the lethal potential of the homemade pipe bomb he used in the attack.
While gun-related crimes are rare in Japan due to strict gun control laws, the country has seen a rise in incidents involving homemade weapons such as guns and explosives. The court's decision to sentence Kimura to 10 years in prison reflects the gravity of the offense and sends a strong message against political violence in the nation.
