Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Attack on Ex-PM Kishida

Ryuji Kimura, 25, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his attempted assassination of former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which occurred during a campaign event in April 2023. Kimura hurled a homemade explosive device towards Kishida, putting many lives at risk, although Kishida himself was unharmed. The court found him guilty of attempted murder and violations of explosives laws, dismissing his claims that he did not intend to cause harm. Presiding Judge Keiko Fukushima emphasized the significant societal anxiety caused by the attack, which followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe just a year earlier. Despite the prosecution's request for a 15-year sentence, Kimura received a 10-year term, reflecting the court's assessment of his intent and the dangerous nature of his actions. This incident has heightened concerns regarding the security of political figures in Japan.