Suspect in attack on Japan’s PM Kishida to undergo psychiatric observation until Sept 1

From The Mainichi

May 22 2023

WAKAYAMA – The suspect in the April 15 bomb attack on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will be held for psychiatric observation for about three months, sources close to the case have told the Mainichi Shimbun.

The Wakayama Summary Court granted a request by the Wakayama District Public Prosecutors Office that Ryuji Kimura, 24, be detained to examine his psychiatric condition at the time of the incident. Kimura is accused of hurling an explosive device near Kishida just before the prime minister was about to make a stump speech in the city of Wakayama. 

Experts are set to begin examining Kimura sometime after May 23 and continue until Sept. 1.

According to investigative sources, Kimura has remained silent about the allegations against him and details of his motives remain unclear. Law enforcers are planning to add charges of attempted murder and a violation of the Criminal Regulations to Control Explosives, after closely examining Kimura’s psychiatric and living conditions during his examination.

Kimura, who is unemployed, was arrested on the scene on April 15 on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business after he allegedly threw an explosive device near Kishida at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama and disrupting the prime minister’s speech that morning. Kishida was visiting the area to campaign for a candidate running in the House of Representatives by-election in the Wakayama No. 1 constituency.

Kimura was subsequently served a fresh arrest warrant on suspicion of violating the Explosives Control Act for illicitly manufacturing approximately 530 grams of gunpowder. He is suspected of crafting a pipe bomb at his home by mixing the gunpowder’s raw materials.

Kimura earlier filed a damages suit against the national government claiming that his ineligibility to run in the July 2022 House of Councillors election due to age requirements was unconstitutional. Investigators are carefully examining his motives as they suspect that his frustrations over the Japanese electoral system may have led to the crime.