PM attacker to undergo psych exams

TOKYO: A man accused of throwing an explosive at Japan’s prime minister last month will undergo a three-month psychiatric examination, a regional court said yesterday.

Ryuji Kimura, 24, was arrested in April for allegedly hurling a pipe bomblike explosive towards Fumio Kishida as the premier campaigned in the western city of Wakayama.

Mr Kishida escaped unscathed, but the incident horrified a nation still haunted by the assassination of Japan’s former prime minister Shinzo Abe, who was gunned down last year while giving a speech.

Prosecutors are authorised to detain Mr Kimura until early September for an assessment of his mental state at the time of the attack, a court official, who did not give her name, told AFP.

They are expected to decide whether to indict Mr Kimura based on the evaluation.

The suspect has reportedly remained tight-lipped about his motive for the failed attack on Mr Kishida.

Local media reported that Mr Kimura previously filed a lawsuit challenging requirements that political candidates be at least 30 years of age and have a war chest of at least three million yen (753,000 baht) to run for national office.

An Osaka High Court spokesman told AFP last month that Mr Kimura had sued the government and his claim was rejected by a lower court. A ruling on his appeal is expected this month.

The attack put Japan on high alert ahead of the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima, which wrapped up on Sunday, and reignited a debate over police security for politicians.

In an interview with foreign media including AFP last month, Mr Kishida said the attack served as a sobering reminder of the difficulties in balancing interactions with voters against the safety of politicians.