A Japanese court delivered a landmark 10-year prison sentence on Wednesday to Ryuji Kimura, convicted of attempted murder for hurling a homemade pipe bomb at former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a 2023 campaign stop. The Wakayama District Court ruled Kimura knowingly risked fatalities in his attack at a fishing port event, calling it a direct assault on democratic processes that endangered bystanders.
Kimura, 25, admitted dissatisfaction with Japan’s electoral system but denied intent to kill during February trial proceedings.
This attack exploited public gatherings vital to democracy,the court stated via Kyodo News. Prosecutors highlighted the bomb’s lethality while seeking a 15-year term, citing parallels to the 2022 assassination of ex-PM Shinzo Abe.
The ruling underscores Japan’s struggle with rare political violence despite strict weapon laws. Key case details:
- Charges: Attempted murder, explosives violations, weapons misconduct
- Injuries: Two minor casualties reported
- Context: Followed Abe’s killing using homemade firearms
Analysts note this case intensifies debates about event security reforms. Less than 1% of Japan’s violent crimes involve firearms, yet recent years saw spikes in improvised attacks targeting leaders. Political messaging through violence disrupts societal trust, warned security expert Mariko Tanaka in a 2024 report.
Kishida resumed public appearances within days, but the incident left lasting questions. Officials confirmed enhanced screening at campaign sites following the attack. With Kimura’s defense planning an appeal, this court ruling sets precedents for handling ideologically driven assaults in one of Asia’s safest democracies.
