Japan PM Kishida vows safety of upcoming G7 meetings following attack

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to ensure the safety of G7 officials that will be visiting the country. Kishida’s remarks come a day after escaping a smoke bomb attack during his campaigning.

Kishida vowed to ensure the safety of the G7 officials that are visiting Japan, starting with the group’s climate ministers as they hold talks, with the group’s foreign ministers also gathering in Japan on Sunday. Kishida told reporters that the country must not allow acts of violence that attack the foundation of democracy.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Saturday that police had been instructed to boost security and that the government will do what is necessary to ensure security when Kishida hosts his G7 counterparts in May in Hiroshima. Matsuno also said the government would wait for the results of the primary investigation before weighing in on the suspect’s potential motive.

The latest incident, taking place in Wakayama prefecture near Osaka, harkens back to the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July last year. Abe was shot with a homemade gun while campaigning for a parliamentary election. Abe’s assassination also prompted a security review for politicians who regularly interact with the public.

Politicians are currently campaigning for the by-elections on April 23 for the lower house of parliament.

The Japanese foreign ministry said there was no change in the security plan for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting on Sunday in the resort city of Karuizawa. At the time of the incident, the media reported that Kishida was being served local seafood before the explosion. Kishida was evacuated from the area and is unhurt.

A man identified by Japan’s Asahi news outlet as a staff of the fishery apprehended the suspect before the police took over. Following the apprehension of the suspect, an explosion was heard 50 seconds later near where Kishida was standing.

“Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue,” said Kishida when he resumed his campaign remarks. “I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together.”