Man Receives 10-Year Sentence for Attempted Murder of Former Japanese PM Kishida

Ryuji Kimura has been sentenced to ten years in prison for attempted murder after launching a pipe bomb at former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during an election event. Kimura's actions were motivated by his grievances over Japan's election age laws, but the attack has raised concerns about political safety in Japan.

Ryuji Kimura, a 25-year-old man, has been given a 10-year prison sentence for attempting to murder former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during an election rally in 2023. In a shocking incident in Wakayama, Kimura threw a homemade pipe bomb at Kishida as he was addressing the crowd. Although Kishida was not harmed, the explosion injured a police officer and another bystander, highlighting the potential dangers of political events in Japan.

During investigations, Kimura expressed that his motive was not to kill Kishida, but to protest against the country's election age regulations, which he claimed barred him from entering the political arena. In Japan, the minimum age to serve in the House of Representatives is 25, and 30 for the House of Councillors. Kimura also mentioned that he sought to draw attention to his civil lawsuit from 2022, which was dismissed, claiming the age restrictions were unconstitutional.

Kimura's defense argued that he did not intend to cause injury and suggested a three-year sentence would be more appropriate. However, the court deemed the explosives used in the attack capable of lethal harm. Presiding judge Keiko Fukushima remarked that the attack on a serving prime minister instigated substantial societal anxiety, leading to discussions about the security measures surrounding politicians, especially after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022.

In addition to the attempted murder conviction, Kimura was charged with offenses relating to explosives and firearm regulations. His 10-year sentence falls short of the 15 years that prosecutors sought. This incident has intensified scrutiny over the safety of Japanese politicians, raising concerns about the adequacy of security protocols in light of recent political violence.