Violence erupts ahead of Japanese House of Representatives elections
Prime Minister Ishiba: “We must not give in to violence”
Molotov cocktail at the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party. Yonhap News”/>
The white car that rushed toward the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, Japan, is standing in front of an iron fence on the 19th. The man who drove this car is also accused of throwing an object believed to be a Molotov cocktail at the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party. Yonhap News
A 49-year-old man was arrested for throwing an object believed to be a Molotov cocktail at the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo on the 19th and then attempting to drive toward the Prime Minister’s residence in a car.
NHK reported that a man driving a car threw about five objects that appeared to be Molotov cocktails at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, before 6 a.m. that day. Some objects fell inside the LDP premises or were hit by police riot police vehicles, but the fire was soon extinguished. There was no one around.
The man then tried to drive his car toward the Prime Minister’s residence, which was about 500 meters away from the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters, but was blocked by an iron fence to prevent intrusion. The man threw an object believed to be a smoking can at police and was arrested at the scene on charges of obstruction of justice.
About 10 cans containing oil and several unused Molotov cocktails were found inside the vehicle the man was riding. NHK reported that the man is currently exercising his right to remain silent.
This incident occurred ahead of the House of Representatives (House of Representatives) election to be held on the 27th.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in a speech in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu that day, “Democracy must not succumb to violence,” and “We will continue to do our best to ensure the safety and security of the people and citizens.”
Hiroshi Moriyama, secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party, said, “Elections, the foundation of democracy, are in full swing, and I feel strong anger at this act,” adding, “We will proceed with election activities as scheduled.”
The Japanese National Police Agency has strengthened security at important facilities and key personnel at each regional headquarters.
The father of the arrested man said in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun that his son had been active in the past opposing the restart of nuclear power plants, and has recently shown interest in politics, posting a post on social media (SNS) arguing that the system of paying deposits when running for election should be abolished. ) was reported to have been posted on
Recently, an incident targeting politicians occurred in Japan ahead of a major election. In July 2022, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed during a campaign rally in Nara Prefecture ahead of the House of Councilors (Senate) election. In April last year, in Wakayama Prefecture, a man in his 20s threw an explosive at former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a by-election campaign site.
