A Japanese court has sentenced a man to ten years in prison for attempting to murder former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Ryuji Kimura was convicted of throwing a homemade pipe bomb at Kishida on April 15, 2023. The attack occurred at a small fishing port in Wakayama, a city in western Japan. Although Kishida was unharmed, the incident posed a substantial threat to public safety and democratic processes, according to the Wakayama District Court.
Kimura faced charges of attempted murder, alongside four other offenses, including violations of explosives and weapons laws. Prosecutors initially sought a 15-year sentence, while Kimura's defense argued for a lighter three-year term. They contended that Kimura had no intention of killing the former prime minister, but instead aimed to garner public attention. His lawyers suggested that the charge should be reduced to "inflicting injury" rather than attempted murder.
The court, however, found the severity of Kimura's actions undeniable. Judge Keiko Fukushima highlighted the broader implications of the attack on the nation's democratic framework.
"Severe punishment is needed to prevent copycats, and it cannot be underestimated that he has seriously disrupted the electoral system, which is the basis of democracy," – Judge Keiko Fukushima
Gun-related crimes are exceedingly rare in Japan due to stringent gun control laws. The attack on Kishida took place less than a year after the assassination of former premier Shinzo Abe in July 2022, raising concerns about security and political stability in the country.
Despite Kimura's claims that his intentions were not lethal, the court ruled that the attack posed a significant danger to many people present at the scene. The case underscores the challenges authorities face in safeguarding public figures and maintaining order within Japan’s political landscape.
